Juventus midfielder and former World Cup winner Paul Pogba has successfully appealed his four-year doping ban, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reducing the suspension to 18 months.
The original four-year ban was issued by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) after Pogba tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone – a hormone that increases endurance – following a random test in August 2023.
Key Outcomes of the CAS Ruling
- Reduced Ban: The suspension was cut from four years to 18 months, backdated to September 11, 2023.
- Return to Training: Sources indicate the 31-year-old France international can resume training in January 2025.
- Eligible to Play: Pogba will be eligible to play competitive football again from March 2025.
In a statement, Pogba expressed immense relief, saying: “Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.” He maintained his innocence, stating he “never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations” and attributed the positive result to a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor.
The CAS panel reportedly based its decision on evidence showing that Pogba’s ingestion of DHEA (the substance for which he tested positive) was not intentional and resulted from erroneously taking a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida. While he accepted the strict liability of the offense, the finding of non-intentional use led to the significant reduction from the standard four-year penalty.
Had the original ban stood, Pogba would have been sidelined until 2027, effectively ending his career at the top level. His second spell at Juventus, which began in July 2022, was already heavily impacted by persistent injuries before his suspension.
