Paul Pogba’s 4 year Drug ban reduced to 18 months

Good news to all football fans as Paul Labile Pogba’s 4-year drug ban has been reduced to 18 months.

French Footballer Paul Pogba (Photo Courtesy)

Highlights

Paul Pogba’s 4 year ban reduced to 18 months
Why Pogba wa suspended
What is Testosterone hormone

The midfielder is set to return to football in March 2025, as confirmed by the court of arbitration for sport.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that said appeal has been successful, with Pogba’s ban being reduced to 18 months, meaning he will be able to play football again in March 2025.

Pogba expressed his relief that his “nightmare” ban was set to come to an end soon, thanking the judges for hearing his case.

“Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.

“I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.

I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offense, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation.

The French midfielder also revealed how the ban stressed him out, having missed out on quite a lot of things, which is something he never really expected would happen.

“This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.” Pogba shared.

Why Pogba was suspended

The 31-year-old was suspended as a precaution in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA – a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body including testosterone.

The midfielder however immediately lodged an appeal against the decision after stating that he had never taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations as they claimed.

Why Testosterone hormone is banned in football

Testosterone is a hormone that increases an athlete’s endurance and physical performance. The reason why it is banned in football is because the board feels some players cheat by using it.

Paul Pogba’s Career

The 31 year old French Midfielder Paul Pogba Pogba joined Juventus in July 2022 from Manchester United, for whom he made 154 league appearances in total, scoring 29 goals and providing 38 assists.

So far in his Serie A career, he has appeared 132 times in the competition, with 28 goals and 22 assists.

However in as much as the four year ban has been lifted words has it that Pogba is not really interested in playing for Juventus anymore and is thinking of switching clubs as it is alleged that he has already initiated talks to terminate his Juventus contract that expires in June 2026. This is a developing story and we shall keep you posted over the same.