Paul Pogba's return date revealed amid doping controversy

Paul Pogba's return date revealed amid doping controversy

Eric Munene 07:29 - 05.10.2024

The former Manchester United and France star has seen his ban reduced after his appeal was accepted by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced a reduction of Paul Pogba's doping suspension from an initial four years to 18 months.

This decision, effective from September 11, 2023, means Pogba will be eligible to return to competitive football in March 2025.

The CAS confirmed the ruling on Friday, highlighting that the reduction aligns with the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, which allows for decreased penalties in cases where an athlete can demonstrate that their doping was unintentional or the result of contamination.

Pogba, 31, was suspended after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that can elevate testosterone levels, following Juventus' Serie A match against Udinese in August 2023.

He faced provisional suspension by NADO Italia, the Italian national anti-doping agency, before receiving the four-year ban in February 2024.

Despite the suspension, Pogba has consistently denied any wrongdoing and pursued an appeal to CAS.

The reduction in his ban could pave the way for his return to the pitch, where he aims to reclaim his spot as a key player for both Juventus and the French national team.

Pogba's contract with Juventus runs until June 2026, and he rejoined the club in 2022 after a challenging second stint at Manchester United.

His time in Italy has been marred by injuries, and he missed France's run to the 2022 World Cup final due to a knee injury.

However, Pogba is remembered for his crucial role in France's 2018 World Cup victory, where he scored in the final against Croatia.

The world is now eagerly waiting for the return of one of the most talented and charismatic players.