Home Featured News Paul Pogba’s doping ban slashed to 18 months after successful CAS appeal

Paul Pogba’s doping ban slashed to 18 months after successful CAS appeal

Pogba was initially suspended by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) after a drugs test revealed elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

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Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been dramatically reduced to 18 months after the Juventus midfielder successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The 31-year-old French international expressed relief, saying, “Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.”

Pogba was initially suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) after a drugs test revealed elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

Pogba took his case to CAS, giving evidence in person at a hearing earlier this summer. He maintained that he never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb confirmed the reduced ban, which now starts from September 11, 2023. Pogba can resume training in January 2025 and will be eligible to play again from March.

“I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations… I play with integrity,” Pogba said. “This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.” He added.

Had the original ban stood, Pogba would have been unable to play until 2027, at the age of 34. The reduced ban offers the 2018 World Cup winner a chance to revive his career.

Pogba was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a random test following Juventus’ first match of the 2023-24 season. The positive test was confirmed in October, leading to a four-year suspension request.

Juventus re-signed Pogba in July 2022, but his return to Turin has been marred by persistent injury problems. He managed just 162 minutes across five appearances during the 2022-23 season.

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