PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has significantly reduced Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban to 18 months.
The France international was initially banned after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance known for its testosterone-boosting effects.
However, CAS ruled that DHEA only impacts females, confirming that Pogba’s use was inadvertent. As a result, Pogba can start training with Juventus in January 2025 and compete in official matches by March.
This ruling not only shortens his ban but also overturns his original €5,000 fine. The decision brings an end to months of uncertainty for the 31-year-old, who had been facing the prospect of early retirement.
Pogba’s representatives and CAS have yet to comment publicly, but football pundit Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development on X, stating, “Paul Pogba will be back to action in 2025, confirmed!”
Pogba had expressed his belief that the verdict was inaccurate and emphasized that he would never intentionally use doping substances.
An American clinic, 10X Health Systems, was cited in Pogba’s appeal, with photographic evidence linking the clinic to the supplements he consumed.
The reduction in Pogba’s ban is a significant boost to Juventus, who are finding form under Thiago Motta.
Pogba has been plagued by injury issues since returning to Turin from Manchester in 2022 and missed France’s FIFA 2022 World Cup final in Qatar due to a knee issue.
Pogba’s return to football will be highly anticipated, with many expecting him to make a significant impact upon his comeback.
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