Frencg Football: Paul Pogba's Doping Ban Reduced to 18 Months

Paul Pogba, the 91-time capped French international and World Cup winner, has seen his doping suspension reduced from four years to 18 months, allowing him to return to football in March 2025. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced the decision, backing Pogba’s claim that his ingestion of a banned substance, DHEA, was unintentional.

Pogba had tested positive for DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone levels, after a Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese in August 2023. He was provisionally suspended by NADO Italia in September.

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The 31-year-old midfielder argued that the banned substance was part of a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida, who assured him it was safe. The CAS ruling recognised this but stated that, as a professional athlete, Pogba should have exercised greater caution. CAS highlighted that while his case was supported by several experts, Pogba was "not without fault."

Pogba expressed his relief at the reduced sentence, saying, "My nightmare is over."

Pogba's time at Juventus, following his 2022 return from Manchester United, has been marred by injuries. Despite his contractual ties with the club until June 2026, reports suggest that both Pogba and Juventus are open to the idea of him restarting his career elsewhere.

Pogba's last competitive appearance came in Juventus' 2-0 victory against Empoli in September 2023.

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