Paul Pogba, the Juventus midfielder and former Manchester United star, has successfully reduced his doping ban from four years to 18 months after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ban, initially imposed by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (NADO), came after a drugs test revealed elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that can enhance athletic endurance, in Pogba’s system.
The reduction means Pogba, who has been ineligible to play since September 2023, will be allowed to resume training in January 2025 and make his official return to competitive football by March. Speaking to the media, the 31-year-old French international expressed relief, stating, “Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.” He maintained that he never knowingly took any performance-enhancing substances and said the positive test was due to a prescribed supplement.
Paul Pogba’s Struggle with the Doping Allegations
The suspension came after Pogba was randomly tested following Juventus’ season opener on 20 August 2023. NADO confirmed the positive result in October when a second sample also showed elevated testosterone levels. Originally, the anti-doping prosecutor’s office pushed for a four-year ban, which would have sidelined Pogba until 2027—effectively ending his career by the age of 34.
During this period, Pogba maintained his innocence, claiming that the supplement he took did not violate World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, also spoke out, stressing that Pogba never intended to break any regulations. Despite the strict liability rules of doping in sport, which hold athletes accountable regardless of intent, CAS ruled in favor of reducing his suspension after hearing his appeal.
Injuries and Setbacks Mark Pogba’s Return to Juventus
Since rejoining Juventus in July 2022, Pogba’s career has been riddled with injuries. His return to the Italian giants was highly anticipated following a six-year stint at Manchester United. However, he struggled with fitness, missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to persistent injuries and managing just 162 minutes in five appearances for Juventus during the 2022-23 season.
The doping suspension further delayed his efforts to get back on the pitch, with only 51 minutes played in the 2023-24 season before his provisional suspension took effect in September 2023. With the CAS ruling, Pogba now sees a light at the end of the tunnel, and the prospect of resuming his football career offers him a fresh start. For Juventus and its fans, the reduction in his ban provides hope that the World Cup winner can still make a significant impact when he returns in 2025.
Paul Pogba Celebrates End of ‘Nightmare’ as Return Date Confirmed
Following the CAS decision, Paul Pogba expressed his immense relief, referring to the ordeal as a “nightmare.” In a statement released soon after the ruling, the French World Cup winner shared his joy at the resolution of the case, saying, “Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.” Pogba emphasized his innocence, maintaining that he never knowingly violated any anti-doping regulations.
Paul Pogba’s statement underscored the emotional toll the suspension had taken on him, as his career was placed on hold while he fought to clear his name. “This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold,” he said. Despite accepting responsibility under the strict liability rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Pogba maintained that his integrity as a player remained intact. Now, with the ban reduced, Pogba can look ahead to resuming his career and returning to competitive football by March 2025.
Court of Arbitration for Sport Paul Pogba’s Favor
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s final ruling brought clarity to Pogba’s case, confirming that he had unknowingly ingested the banned substance DHEA. The hormone, which boosts testosterone, is included on WADA’s list of prohibited substances but was found to have no performance-enhancing effects on male athletes. This finding played a crucial role in CAS’s decision to reduce Pogba’s suspension from four years to 18 months.
The original ban was issued after Pogba’s appearance for Juventus in their opening game of the 2023-24 season against Udinese, following which he tested positive for DHEA. Pogba’s appeal, which took place in Switzerland in August, involved detailed submissions, including evidence from an American clinic, 10X Health Systems, whose name was found on the label of one of the supplements he had taken. The CAS ruling was a major win for Pogba, who had argued from the outset that he had no intention of breaching anti-doping regulations.
Pogba’s Return Sparks Anticipation as He Teases Comeback
With the news of his reduced ban, Paul Pogba wasted no time in hinting at his return to the pitch. Taking to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), Pogba posted a cryptic message featuring a sand timer emoji and a photo of himself wearing football boots, suggesting that the countdown to his comeback has already begun. The post has fueled anticipation among fans, who are eager to see the World Cup-winning midfielder back in action.
While Pogba’s representatives have remained silent following the CAS ruling, the player’s social media activity signals his readiness to move on from the ordeal and focus on the future. His reduced suspension not only offers him the opportunity to resume his football career but also serves as a vindication for his stance throughout the doping case. Pogba’s determination to return stronger and continue his career at the top level is clear, and the football world will be watching closely as he prepares for his highly anticipated comeback in 2025.
