In a significant ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been slashed to just 18 months.
The decision comes as a major victory for the World Cup-winning midfielder, whose suspension, which began on September 11, 2023, will now end in March 2025.
The former Manchester United player was initially facing the possibility of retirement from football if CAS upheld the original ban.
However, with this reduction, Pogba can now look forward to returning to the field, and it is understood that he will be allowed to resume training as early as January 2025.
In the ruling, CAS confirmed that Pogba had inadvertently taken DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone and is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list.
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However, the court crucially noted that DHEA primarily affects females, a factor that likely contributed to the reduction of the ban.
The midfielder’s appeal took place at CAS’ headquarters in Switzerland in late August, and Pogba was recently informed of the decision.
His original €5,000 (£4,176) fine has also been set aside.
Pogba was banned after testing positive for DHEA following Juventus’ opening match of the 2023-24 season against Udinese on August 20.
During his appeal, it was revealed that 10X Health Systems, an American clinic, was involved, with photographic evidence linking the clinic’s name to one of the pill bottles Pogba had received.
