Initially facing a four-year suspension due to doping allegations, Pogba’s ban has been significantly reduced to 18 months.
This decision, made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), means Pogba will return to football by March 2025, with training resuming as early as January.
Paul Pogba, a central figure in Juventus and the French national team, tested positive for doping in September 2023. The news shocked fans worldwide, as Pogba is known for his professionalism and commitment to the game.
BREAKING: Pogba can return to Juventus in January! ⚪️⚫️
He’s had his 4 year drug ban reduced to just 18 months, according to @SamiMokbel81_DM
He’ll start training with the team in January and play matches by March pic.twitter.com/8wwZYGeYnH
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) October 4, 2024
Following this revelation, he was immediately suspended, marking the start of a long and arduous battle for his career.
The initial verdict was harsh—four years out of the game. However, after Pogba appealed the decision, the CAS reviewed the case, taking into account the circumstances surrounding his positive test.
As a result, the ban was cut down to 18 months, allowing him to step back onto the pitch in March 2025. This reduction is a lifeline for the player, who would have otherwise faced the likely end of his career.
The reason for his suspension was a positive doping test in September 2023. The substance found in his system violated anti-doping regulations, leading to an immediate suspension from football activities.
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Juventus responded by completely cutting Pogba off from the club—banning him from its facilities and reducing his €8,000,000 annual salary to the minimum of €2,000, as stipulated by the Italian Footballers’ Union.
The entire saga was a major blow for Pogba, who expressed heartbreak and disbelief at the ruling. According to the footballer, he never intentionally or knowingly consumed any banned substances and vowed to clear his name.
In a heartfelt statement following his initial suspension, he made it clear that he believed the ruling was unjust. He expressed sadness and shock, stating that everything he had built during his career was being stripped away.
He maintained that he had never knowingly consumed any performance-enhancing substances and that he had always respected the rules of the game.
“I am sad, shocked, and heartbroken because everything I have built during my professional career has been taken away from me,” Pogba said at the time. He vowed to appeal the decision to the CAS, which led to the significant reduction in his ban.
One of the biggest questions now is whether Juventus and Pogba can rebuild their relationship. The club’s decision to exile Pogba was drastic. Not only was he banned from the facilities, but the club also cut his salary down to a bare minimum.
His contract with Juventus runs until June 2026, which means there is time for reconciliation. But will Juventus be willing to welcome him back with open arms?
For Juventus, this is an opportunity to bring back one of their most talented midfielders, but there are concerns about how much rust Pogba will have accumulated during his time away from the game.
