Paul Pogba, the French midfielder and Juventus star, has received significant relief in his doping case after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his initial four-year ban to just 18 months. This decision, which marks a pivotal point in Pogba’s career, means the midfielder will be eligible to return to competitive football as early as March 2025. Pogba, who was suspended in September 2023, had vehemently denied any intentional wrongdoing, insisting that he had never knowingly taken banned substances. With this major ruling in his favor, Pogba now looks ahead to rejoining Juventus and reclaiming his place among Europe’s elite footballers.
Paul Pogba’s Road to Suspension
Pogba’s troubles began in September 2023 when he tested positive for doping following a routine test conducted after a match. The substance detected in his system raised immediate concerns, and an investigation was launched. During the suspension period, Pogba was exiled from Juventus’ facilities, barred from training, and saw his once-lucrative €8 million salary slashed to a mere €2,000, the minimum permissible under the Italian Footballers’ Union agreement.
As one of the most prominent figures in football, his case generated widespread attention. Many speculated that this could be the end of his career, particularly if the four-year ban stood, as it would have sidelined the 31-year-old until 2027. The ban would have covered crucial years of his playing career, raising serious doubts about whether Pogba could ever return to top form after such a long absence.
The Appeal and Reduction of the Ban
Despite the severity of the situation, Pogba did not back down. He immediately appealed the ruling, maintaining that he had never knowingly taken any illegal substances. His legal team worked tirelessly to present his case, arguing that the positive test result was due to an unintentional ingestion of a banned supplement.
After months of deliberation, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favor of reducing Pogba’s ban from four years to 18 months. This decision was a huge relief for the player, as it effectively halved his suspension period. With the start of the suspension backdated to September 2023, Pogba will be eligible to return to football by March 2025, just 18 months after the suspension was initiated.
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The Impact on Pogba’s Career
The reduction of Pogba’s ban has massive implications for both the player and Juventus. From Pogba’s perspective, the chance to resume playing by March 2025 means he can salvage his career and return to competitive football while still in his early 30s.He had always been a player with immense potential, having been instrumental in France’s 2018 World Cup victory and consistently performing at a high level for both club and country. However, his form had dipped in recent years due to injuries and other off-field issues, and the doping suspension had threatened to permanently derail his career.
For Juventus, the situation is more complex. While the club suspended him during his doping case and reduced his salary, he remains contracted to the club until 2026. Juventus must now decide whether to reintegrate him into the squad or part ways with the player. The club has struggled with financial constraints in recent seasons, and Pogba’s return could either serve as a major boost or create further uncertainty. Juventus will also have to assess how much footballing sharpness Pogba has lost during his 18-month absence.
Pogba’s Statement and Determination to Return
Following the initial ruling, he expressed his disappointment and disbelief over the four-year suspension. He reiterated that he had never knowingly taken any banned substances and that he would never intentionally undermine his career or the teams he had represented. Pogba’s legal battle and eventual victory in having his ban reduced have given him renewed hope that he can reclaim his status in the football world.
Paul Pogba: “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 Anti-Doping regulations, I play with integrity and I want to thank the Court of Arbitration who heard my… pic.twitter.com/oFl48oSQdS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2024
In his public statements, Pogba showed immense gratitude to his fans and supporters for standing by him during this difficult period. He vowed to return stronger and make the most of the remaining years of his career. The ruling now gives Pogba a clear timeline for when he can start training again and when he can officially compete, with January 2025 marking his return to Juventus’ training facilities and March 2025 being his first eligible match window.
The Road Ahead for Pogba and Juventus
While Pogba’s return to action is now certain, the road ahead remains challenging. The midfielder will need to overcome an extended period of inactivity, work his way back to match fitness, and regain the trust of Juventus fans and management. Additionally, the modern game has evolved rapidly, and he will need to show that he can still compete at the highest level after an 18-month absence.
For Juventus, Pogba’s return could provide the team with a much-needed boost in midfield, especially given their struggles in recent Serie A and European campaigns. However, it also presents a dilemma for the club’s management: Should they reinvest in a player who had been sidelined for so long, or should they look to offload him and focus on younger, more reliable talent?
