Paul Pogba says his “nightmare is over” after his four-year ban from football was reduced to 18 months today, meaning the Juventus midfielder can play again in March.
The 31-year-old was facing an uncertain future in the game after the National Anti-Doping Tribunal handed out the original sanction when Pogba tested positive test for testosterone following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20, 2023.
Pogba always maintained his innocence and took his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who today ruled a lesser punishment was sufficient.
The former Manchester United man can train with Juve in January and is eligible to play again two months later.
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) October 4, 2024
In a statement, Pogba said: “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 offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation.
“This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.”
Misery in Turin
The French World Cup-winner has endured a miserable second spell at Juventus after re-joining from Manchester United at the end of the 2021-22 season.
He initially joined United in 2009 as a teenager before leaving for Juve in 2012.
He was lured back to Old Trafford in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89million only to run down his contract and move back to Turin.
Pogba managed just 162 minutes of playing time in all competitions in the 2022-23 season and made two substitute appearances last term.
He was placed on a special contract when initially suspended with Juve only willing to pay him the minimum allowed.
His current deal expires in June 2026.
