Paul Pogba, the French football star and World Cup winner, has seen his four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to football in March 2025. The decision, which was announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), marks a significant victory for Pogba, who has maintained that his ingestion of a banned substance was unintentional.
The 31-year-old midfielder, currently under contract with Juventus until June 2026, was originally suspended in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a substance banned by anti-doping authorities for its ability to increase testosterone levels. The positive test was conducted following a Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese in August 2023, casting a shadow over Pogba’s career and leading to his provisional suspension by Italy’s anti-doping organization, NADO Italia.
Pogba, who has been capped 91 times for the French national team and played a pivotal role in France’s 2018 World Cup victory, has had a turbulent few years on and off the pitch. His injuries, coupled with inconsistent form, have seen him struggle to regain the heights he once reached at Manchester United and Juventus. However, the doping ban presented the most serious obstacle in his career, as it carried the potential to end his professional football journey.
Upon the announcement of his suspension in September 2023, Pogba and his legal team immediately began preparing an appeal, determined to clear his name. Central to their defense was the argument that Pogba had unknowingly ingested the banned substance after taking a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida. According to Pogba, the doctor had assured him that the treatment was safe and that it adhered to the strict guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Code. The CAS panel that reviewed the case agreed with this defense, acknowledging that Pogba had no intention of doping and had acted under the assumption that the treatment was legitimate.
In a statement released by CAS, it was confirmed that Pogba’s defense had been supported by several experts, and much of the evidence provided by the player went unopposed. “Mr Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high-level U.S. and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr Pogba’s anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code,” the statement read. This formed the basis for the panel’s decision to reduce the ban from four years to 18 months, with Pogba now eligible to return to competitive football in March 2025.
The news was met with relief and joy by Pogba, who described the ordeal as a “nightmare.” In a brief statement following the decision, Pogba expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging period and looked ahead to resuming his career. “My nightmare is over,” he said. “I look forward to getting back on the pitch and doing what I love.”
The reduction of the ban not only opens the door for Pogba to resume his playing career but also potentially revitalizes his standing in the football world. Despite his struggles in recent seasons, Pogba remains one of the most talented and recognizable players of his generation. His return to football in March 2025 could provide him with a much-needed fresh start, and with a contract still in place at Juventus, he has the opportunity to prove himself once again on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
While Pogba’s legal team successfully argued that the ingestion of DHEA was accidental, the case serves as a stark reminder to athletes about the importance of vigilance when it comes to supplements and treatments. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other governing bodies in sport maintain strict regulations to ensure fairness and integrity in competition. Even unintentional ingestion of banned substances can lead to severe penalties, as demonstrated in Pogba’s case. The midfielder will no doubt be more cautious in the future to avoid any further issues with anti-doping regulations.
Pogba’s return to football is highly anticipated by his fans and by Juventus, who have stood by the player throughout the doping scandal. With Juventus currently competing in Serie A and looking to challenge for domestic and European honors, the return of a fit and focused Pogba could provide the team with a significant boost.
For the French national team, however, Pogba’s situation remains more complex. He was once a mainstay in the French midfield and a key figure in their World Cup-winning squad in 2018. But with his ban lasting until March 2025, Pogba will miss the entirety of Euro 2024, a tournament in which France will be among the favorites to lift the trophy. Whether Pogba will be able to reclaim his place in the national team once his ban is lifted remains to be seen, but his reduced suspension certainly keeps the possibility alive.
As Pogba looks to the future, his focus will undoubtedly be on regaining fitness and form. The road ahead may not be easy, but with the CAS decision behind him, the French star can now concentrate on rebuilding his career. His talent has never been in doubt, and if he can stay injury-free and avoid further controversies, Pogba still has time to add more chapters to his storied career.
For now, though, the most important victory for Pogba is his vindication in the doping case, and with the ban reduced, he can finally begin to put this dark period behind him. The world of football will be watching closely as he prepares for his comeback, and many will be eager to see if Paul Pogba can once again shine as one of the game’s brightest stars.
