In a significant development, French football star Paul Pogba has seen his initial four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ruling, confirmed on Friday, means that the Juventus midfielder will be eligible to resume his career in March 2025.
The CAS decision follows Pogba’s appeal after testing positive for testosterone in August of last year, which initially led Italy’s anti-doping court to hand down the maximum four-year suspension. Pogba maintained his innocence throughout the process, claiming the positive test stemmed from a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor that did not enhance performance.
In a statement following the ruling, the 2018 World Cup winner expressed his relief: “Finally, the nightmare is over. Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.”
Under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, four-year bans are standard for doping violations. However, bans can decrease if the athlete proves that the doping was unintentional or caused by contamination. In Pogba’s case, CAS acknowledged these mitigating factors, which led to the reduction of the ban.
“I always stated that I never knowingly breached WADA regulations,” Pogba explained. “I play with integrity, and although I accept this is a strict liability offence, I am grateful to the CAS judges for hearing my explanation.”
The 31-year-old Pogba paused his career in September 2023 after the announcement of his positive test led to his suspension. Once the most expensive footballer in the world—following his €105 million ($113 million) transfer from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016—Pogba has struggled with injuries, making only eight Serie A appearances in his second stint with Juventus before the doping scandal unfolded.
Although his absence from the pitch has been long and painful, Pogba remains hopeful. “This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I’ve worked so hard for has been put on hold,” he said. “I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch.”
As one of the most talented and celebrated players of his generation, Pogba’s return in 2025 will attract close attention as he aims to move past this chapter and reestablish himself in professional football.
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