Paul Pogba's four-year drugs ban reduced after successful appeal

Paul Pogba's doping suspension has been reduced from four years to 18 months after an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This decision allows the French midfielder to return to Juventus by March 2025, earlier than the initial August 2027 ban.

In Short

• Paul Pogba had 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 has been significantly reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 31-year-old French midfielder, who played a pivotal role in France's triumph at the 2018 World Cup, tested positive for testosterone metabolites in August 2023, leading to a lengthy suspension from all football-related activities.

With the reduction, Pogba is now eligible to resume playing for Juventus as early as March 2025. Initially, he faced a ban that would have kept him out of the game until August 2027. Italy's anti-doping agency had advocated for the maximum penalty after the failed test, but Pogba consistently maintained his innocence, asserting he had never knowingly taken banned substances.

In a statement following the initial ban, Pogba emphasized, "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." He also announced plans to appeal the decision at CAS, expressing his commitment to clearing his name.

The CAS ruling not only paves the way for Pogba's return to Juventus but also quashes speculation about his potential retirement from football. The midfielder had denied such rumors in July while continuing to contest his case.

Pogba's career has been a mix of highs and lows. He enjoyed significant success during his first stint at Juventus, winning four consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2016 and earning the Golden Boy award in 2013 for his outstanding performances. However, his return to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record fee of £89 million did not yield the same success, with only a Europa League and Carabao Cup victory to show for his efforts.

Pogba’s recent struggles with injuries and his doping case had overshadowed his return to the Allianz Stadium in 2022, where he aimed to revitalize his career. With the reduced ban, he now has a chance to make a comeback on the pitch, potentially revitalizing his legacy in the sport.