Paul Pogba’s Doping Ban Reduced: A Major Victory for the Star Midfielder

Paul Pogba has expressed relief, stating that his “nightmare is over” after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Pogba’s appeal, enabling him to resume training with Juventus in January 2025, and he will be eligible to play again from March.

The 31-year-old France international was initially suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) in February after a drug test showed elevated testosterone levels—a hormone known to enhance endurance. This suspension followed Juventus’ first match of the 2023-24 season on 20 August 2023, where Pogba was randomly tested.

CAS director general Matthieu Reeb confirmed that Pogba’s suspension had been reduced, with the 18-month ban starting from 11 September 2023. This outcome means Pogba will be able to return to the field much sooner than the original four-year suspension, which would have kept him out until 2027, when he would have been 34 years old.

In a statement, Pogba expressed gratitude for the ruling, saying, “Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again. I have always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance male athletic performance.”

Pogba continued, “I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to thank the Court of Arbitration for Sport judges for hearing my explanation. This has been a hugely distressing period because everything I have worked for has been put on hold.”

The former Manchester United star took his case to CAS, providing in-person evidence earlier this year. Throughout this process, Pogba consistently maintained that he “never knowingly or deliberately” engaged in doping and considered the initial verdict incorrect.

Had the original ban stood, Pogba’s career could have been severely impacted, as he would have faced a four-year suspension. Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, stated at the time of the initial suspension, “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”

Pogba’s return to Juventus has been challenging, marred by persistent injuries. The midfielder re-signed with Juventus in July 2022 on a four-year deal after leaving Manchester United as a free agent. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from playing regularly, causing him to miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. During the 2022-23 season, Pogba only managed 162 minutes across five appearances and just 51 minutes as a substitute in the following campaign before his suspension.

With the reduction of his ban, Pogba can look forward to getting his career back on track and once again becoming an essential player for both Juventus and potentially the French national team. This reduction in suspension gives hope to many players facing similar situations, as the ruling highlights that fair assessment and appeals can change the course of an athlete’s career.