French footballer Paul Pogba has expressed relief after his four year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to competitive football on March 11, 2024. The Juventus midfielder, under contract until 2026, will be back on the pitch just days before his 32nd birthday.
In a statement, Pogba described the ban as a “nightmare” and expressed gratitude to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for reducing the suspension. He reiterated that he never knowingly violated World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, explaining that the positive test resulted from a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor. Pogba maintained that the substance did not enhance his performance, emphasizing that he plays with integrity.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed the decision on Friday, explaining that Pogba’s suspension would run from September 11, 2023, to March 11, 2025. The reasons for the decision will be provided at a later time.
Pogba’s doping saga began in August 2023 when he tested positive for testosterone following a Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese. He was provisionally suspended in September, and the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal handed him a four-year ban in February 2024. His legal team attributed the positive test to a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States.
Following the initial ruling, Pogba posted on Instagram, saying he was “shocked and heartbroken” by the decision, adding that he had never knowingly taken any banned substances. On Friday, after the reduced ban was announced, Pogba shared a simple image on social media—a close-up of his feet wearing Pogba-branded football boots, with socks displaying his initials, the French flag, and two stars symbolizing France’s World Cup victories.
A pivotal player during France’s World Cup-winning campaign in 2018, Pogba’s career has been marked by success and adversity. He won four Serie A titles in his first stint with Juventus but has struggled with injuries and personal issues since his return to the Italian club from Manchester United in 2022. During the 2022-2023 season, Pogba made only 10 appearances due to a knee injury that also kept him out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where France narrowly lost to Argentina in the final.
Additionally, Pogba has faced personal challenges off the field, including a case of organized extortion in which his brother, Mathias Pogba, and five other men were charged. Last month, a court ordered the group to stand trial.
Pogba’s reduced ban provides hope for a return to top level football, with many anticipating his comeback next year.
| Key Facts on Pogba’s Doping Case | Details |
|---|---|
| Ban Reduction | 4 years reduced to 18 months |
| Suspension Start Date | September 11, 2023 |
| Eligible Return Date | March 11, 2025 |
| Cause of Positive Test | Testosterone from a food supplement |
| Football Club | Juventus (contract until 2026) |
