Paul Pogba’s ban reduced by Court of Arbitration for Sport

In a significant ruling that has sent ripples through the football world, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that Paul Pogba's four-year ban for a doping violation will be reduced to 18 months.

The decision, announced on Monday, comes after Pogba appealed the initial sanction imposed by the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia).

The French midfielder was found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) due to the presence of 'non-endogenous testosterone metabolites' in his system, a finding made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

While Pogba was originally sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility beginning in September 2023, the CAS upheld the ADRV but recognised evidence suggesting that the substance for which he tested positive, DHEA, was ingested unintentionally through a supplement prescribed by a medical professional in Florida.

Paul Pogba is returning to football in March 2025 🚨

The Juventus midfielder won his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and his ban has been reduced from four years to 18 months.

Pogba in a statement:

'Finally the nightmare is over, I can look forward to the day… pic.twitter.com/sYVYtsh1vR

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 4, 2024

“The CAS Panel based its decision on the evidence and legal arguments made that Pogba’s ingestion of DHEA ... was not intentional and was the result of erroneously taking a supplement prescribed to him,” the CAS statement read.

The panel also acknowledged that Pogba, having been assured by the prescribing doctor — who claimed expertise in treating elite athletes — was unaware his actions could breach anti-doping protocols.

Despite the reduction, the CAS concluded that Pogba was not without fault. The evidence presented by Pogba, which included testimonies from several experts, was largely unopposed. However, the panel opined that as a professional athlete, Pogba should have exercised greater caution in his approach to supplements.

NADO Italia contended that his conduct was recklessly severe, justifying a longer sanction. In light of these deliberations, Pogba’s appeal for a lesser 12-month sanction was partially recognised, with the CAS settling on an 18-month ban and cancelling the imposed fine of £5,000 (about R96,000).

The decision from the CAS is final and binding, although the involved parties have the right to appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds.

Amidst this ongoing saga, the 31-year-old Pogba is reportedly seeking to negotiate a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus, which runs through to June 2026. This move could potentially enable him to join a new club as a free agent, marking yet another chapter in the player's turbulent career.

IANS