Paul Pogba's four-year drugs ban reduced after successful appeal
- Pogba had previously received four-year ban for doping offence
- Court of Arbitration for Sport reduces punishment to 18 months
- 31-year-old midfielder can begin playing again in March 2025
Paul Pogba's four-year ban from football for doping violations has been reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The 31-year-old, who played a key role in France's 2018 World Cup success, tested positive for testosterone metabolites in August 2023 and was subsequently handed a lengthy ban.
Pogba will now be able to resume playing for Juventus from March 2025 onwards having initially been banned from all football related activities until August 2027.
Italy's anti-doping agency had pushed for Pogba to receive the maximum four-year ban upon learning of his failed test, but the Frenchman immediately insisted that he'd done nothing wrong and would "never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations".
A statement from Pogba at the time said: "As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
CAS' decision to reduce Pogba's ban opens up the possibility that he could play for Juventus again before the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. A return to action may also put to bed rumours of potential retirement from football - something Pogba was forced to deny in July as he continued to fight his case.
Pogba spent two spells with Manchester United earlier in his career, returning to the club in 2016 for a fee of £89m after leaving for Juventus on a free transfer four years prior. But he was unable to transition his success on the international stage with France to his career at United - Europa League and Carabao Cup success in 2016/17 the only two trophies he won as a Red Devil.
At Juventus, Pogba has been far more successful. He was part of the side that won four successive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2016, picking up the Golden Boy award in 2013 for his individual performances.
A return to the Allianz Stadium in 2022 was intended to get Pogba's career back on track, but injuries disrupted his progress before his failed drug test came to light in September 2023.
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