Oct 05, V7N -Paul Pogba expressed his relief after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to competitive football on March 11, 2025, just before his 32nd birthday. Pogba, who is contracted with Juventus until 2026, had been provisionally suspended in September 2023 after testing positive for testosterone following a match between Juventus and Udinese. The French international maintained his innocence, claiming the substance came from a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States and did not enhance his performance.

In a statement, Pogba expressed gratitude to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for hearing his explanation, though he accepted the suspension as a strict liability offense. He described the ordeal as a "nightmare" and a "hugely distressing period" in his life, but looks forward to returning to the game.

The CAS confirmed the decision to reduce the ban, which originally stood at four years after a ruling by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal. Pogba has faced numerous challenges since his return to Juventus in 2022, including injury struggles that limited his appearances and the emotional toll of an extortion case involving his brother Mathias.

Despite these setbacks, Pogba remains determined to move forward and return to his dreams on the pitch, having played a crucial role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.

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