Paul Pogba, the World Cup-winning midfielder, has had his doping suspension reduced to 18 months, down from the initial four-year ban, according to a statement from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday.
“The suspension has been adjusted to 18 months, effective from September 11, 2023,” shared Matthieu Reeb, CAS director general, in a statement to Reuters.
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This updated ruling paves the way for Pogba to return to competitive football in March 2025, giving fans hope that they’ll see him back in action soon. While the former French international has remained tight-lipped about the news, he did post a mysterious image on Instagram—a pair of boots and socks featuring the initials “PP,” possibly hinting at his future return.
The 31-year-old midfielder hasn’t played a match since August 2023, after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels, following Juventus’ Serie A clash with Udinese. Pogba was initially handed a provisional suspension by Italy’s anti-doping agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023. This was followed by a four-year ban in February 2024.
Pogba, who is contracted with Juventus until June 2026, has denied any intentional wrongdoing and immediately sought to appeal the ruling through CAS.
While a four-year ban is the default under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes can have their suspension reduced if they can prove that the doping was unintentional, was a result of contamination, or if they provide valuable assistance to investigators.
Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 after a second spell at Manchester United, but injuries hampered his comeback in Italy. During his first stint with Juventus, he made 178 appearances between 2012 and 2016. Unfortunately, Pogba also missed out on France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final due to a knee injury, but his legacy includes helping France lift the World Cup in 2018, scoring in the 4-2 victory against Croatia in the final.
Though the past year has been tough, Pogba’s fans will be eagerly waiting to see him back on the field in 2025.
Though Paul Pogba’s journey over the past year has been challenging, his potential return in 2025 sparks hope for a triumphant comeback. What are your thoughts on this development? Will Pogba regain his form and make an impact when he returns to the pitch?
Share your opinions and join the discussion in the comments below! We’d love to hear what you think.
For more insights on how athletes respond to setbacks, check out Brittney Griner’s thoughts on Team USA’s recent defeat and the impact it had on the game in our article Brittney Griner Shares Her Thoughts on Team USA’s Recent Defeat.
