Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba expressed relief after his four-year suspension for a doping violation was cut to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Sources close to the 31-year-old French international confirmed to BBC Sport that Pogba will be able to resume training in January 2025, with full eligibility to compete by March of that year.
The reduction follows a ruling by CAS after Pogba was initially banned by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February, after a drug test showed elevated levels of testosterone—a hormone known to enhance endurance.
Ban Reduced After Appeal
Matthieu Reeb, director general of CAS, confirmed to Reuters that Pogba’s suspension was revised from a four-year ban to 18 months starting from September 11, 2023. The original ruling would have sidelined Pogba until 2027, meaning he would have missed playing until the age of 34.
In a public statement, Pogba shared his relief, saying, “Finally, the nightmare is over. I can now look forward to chasing my dreams once more.” He reiterated that he had never knowingly violated World Anti-Doping Agency rules, explaining that the substance came from a supplement prescribed by a doctor, which he believed was safe and did not enhance performance.
Personal and Professional Setback
Pogba described the situation as a deeply challenging time, saying, “This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.” He thanked the CAS judges for listening to his defense, though acknowledged that he must accept responsibility due to the strict liability nature of anti-doping regulations.
Pogba was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a random test conducted following Juventus’ first match of the 2023-24 season in August flagged elevated testosterone levels. The findings were later confirmed by a second sample in October, after which the anti-doping prosecutor requested a four-year ban. Pogba’s case was taken to CAS, where he testified in person during a hearing earlier in the summer of 2024.
Juventus had re-signed Pogba in July 2022, but injury problems hampered his return, with the midfielder managing only limited appearances over two seasons before his suspension.
