Former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, has received a major boost in his career as the Court of Arbitration for Sport has reduced his initial four-year drugs ban to just 18 months.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for the World Cup winner, with the suspension that began on September 11, 2023, now set to conclude in March 2025.
Pogba was facing the grim prospect of retirement from football had CAS upheld the original lengthy suspension.
However, the revised ruling now allows the 31-year-old to strategize his return to the sport.
Reports indicated that the decision also permits Pogba to resume training as early as January 2025, signaling a new chapter in his career.
In its final judgment, CAS confirmed that Pogba had unintentionally ingested DHEA, a substance known to enhance testosterone levels and listed among the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances.
Importantly, the ruling noted that DHEA predominantly affects females, which could play a crucial role in his defense.
The appeal hearing took place at CAS’ headquarters in Switzerland at the end of August, and Pogba was only recently notified of the outcome.
His ban was imposed after he participated in Juventus’ opening match of the 2023/24 season against Udinese on August 20.
Earlier reports from Mail Sport revealed that Pogba’s ongoing efforts to clear his name involve 10X Health Systems, an American clinic that has come to light during his appeal.
The clinic’s name reportedly appears on the label of at least one of the pill bottles that Pogba received, providing a potential avenue for his defense.
As of now, representatives for Pogba have chosen not to comment on the ruling.
