Official: Paul Pogba's drug ban REDUCED to 18 months

Cameron Smith

7 Oct 2024 12:56 BST
3 min read

Paul Pogba’s four-year drug ban has been reduced to 18 months, with the ex-France international set to return to competitive action in 2025.

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The 31-year-old tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - a banned substance that can raise testosterone levels - after Juventus’ win over Udinese in August 2023.

Pogba demanded counter-analysis, but after a second test also came back positive, he received a four-year footballing ban.

However, Pogba’s ban has been reduced to just 18 months by CAS.

A statement from CAS on Monday officially confirmed the reduction of his sentence. The statement read:

“The CAS Panel based its decision on the evidence and legal arguments made that Mr Pogba’s ingestion of DHEA, the substance for which he tested positive, was not intentional and was the result of erroneously taking a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida, after Mr Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high level US and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr Pogba’s anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code.

"Mr Pogba sought a sanction of only 12 months in recognition of the presence of some fault on his part (he did not seek a determination of no fault or negligence from the CAS Panel). ”NADO Italia argued that the Player’s recklessness was serious and justified a 4-year ban. Mr Pogba’s case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Mr Pogba was unopposed. The CAS Panel determined, however, that Mr Pogba was not without fault and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid a greater care in the circumstances."

As a result of the reduction, Pogba will be able to start training with Juventus in January, while March will mark Pogba’s return to competitive matches.

In addition, his initial €5,000 fine has also reportedly been set aside.

Paul Pogba to return to action

Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022 upon the expiration of his contract at Manchester United.

However, he has only racked up 12 appearances and 213 minutes of action following his return to Turin, due to injury problems and his positive drugs test.

Thiago Motta’s side signed Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners during the summer, but Pogba is now set to return in early 2025, rather than in September 2027, and he could be reintegrated into the first-team set-up at the Allianz Stadium.

Pogba’s current deal at Juventus runs until 2026 and at 31 years old, he could well be able to still compete at the highest level in Europe.

The Frenchman, who has won 91 international caps during his career and helped his country win the 2018 World Cup, was tipped to join the Saudi Pro League before his doping ban became official.