Paul Pogba's 4-year drug ban reduced by CAS, will be available to play for Juventus from March - Reports

Paul Pogba has reportedly had his four-year ban slashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Frenchman's ban has been reduced to just 18 months and he will be available to play for Juventus next year.

As the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Pogba has been handed a lifeline and can return to the pitch early next year. The midfielder can resume training in January 2025 and get back on the pitch with Juventus in March.

Pogba was banned after testing positive for DHEA - a substance used to boost testosterone. It is a banned substance by WADA, but CAS has ruled that DHEA primarily affects females and not males, due to which the ban has been reduced.

The Frenchman was confident that CAS would rule in his favor and posted a statement when his ban was announced. He wrote (via Yahoo Sports)s:

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect. I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.”

“As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he added.

Pogba's ban started in September 2023 and the 31-year-old will be delighted to get back on the pitch in March.

Why was Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba banned?

Paul Pogba failed a drug test in August 2023 after Juventus won 3-0 at Udinese in the 2023-24 season opener. The Frenchman's test showed elevated testosterone and he was immediately banned from playing football.

The midfielder's ban was initially supposed to last four years, but the CAS ruling has reduced the time period to 18 months. His €5,000 fine has also been set aside and the midfielder is now just over 100 days away from returning to training with Juventus.

Paul Pogba has a contract at Juventus until 2026 and the 31-year-old will be keen on making his mark under Thiago Motta.