Paul Pogba’s Doping Ban Reduced to 18 Months, Set to Return in 2025
Paul Pogba, the Juventus and France midfielder, has had his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months, following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Initially, Pogba faced a lengthy suspension after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone during a random drug test after Juventus' first match of the 2023-24 season in August. The substance in question, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is known to enhance endurance, but Pogba maintained his innocence, claiming he had never intentionally used performance-enhancing drugs.
Pogba’s journey through this doping saga has been marked by controversy and personal anguish. He was suspended by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal in September 2023 after a second sample confirmed the positive result. Facing the prospect of being banned until 2027, which would effectively have ended his career, Pogba took his case to CAS, where he personally testified. After careful consideration, the court reduced his suspension, making him eligible to resume training in January 2025, with a full return to play expected by March of the same year.
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The decision has offered Pogba a glimmer of hope, allowing him to salvage his career and continue playing at the top level. He expressed his relief, stating, “Finally, the nightmare is over,” and added that he looked forward to returning to the pitch. The former Manchester United player also reiterated that he had never knowingly breached anti-doping regulations. According to Pogba and his legal team, the positive test was an innocent mistake caused by a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor.
Had the original ban been upheld, it would have spelled disaster for the 2018 World Cup winner, who has already faced challenges with injury over the past few years, including missing the 2022 World Cup. Since rejoining Juventus in 2022, Pogba's time on the field has been significantly limited, playing only a handful of minutes before his suspension took effect.
Pogba's suspension began in September 2023, and although reduced, he will still have spent a significant period away from the sport. During this time, he has been keeping himself fit through personal training while awaiting the chance to return. His contract with Juventus remains in place until 2026, and his return to action in 2025 will be closely watched, especially as fans and pundits wonder if Pogba can still perform at the highest level after such a long absence. His story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding doping cases in sport, where intent and evidence must be balanced to determine an athlete’s future.
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