Juventus’ French midfielder, Paul Pogba is relieved after his four-year ban for a doping offense was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The 31 year-old midfielder was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a random drug test following Juventus’ first match of the 2023-24 season on August 20.
Paul Pogba. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
In February 2024, Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) handed Pogba a four-year ban after his drug test showed elevated levels of testosterone—a hormone that enhances endurance.
Pogba appealed the decision to CAS and gave evidence in person at a hearing earlier this summer.
In a statement, Pogba expressed his relief:
“Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again. I have always maintained that I never knowingly violated World Anti-Doping Agency regulations. The nutritional supplement I took, prescribed by a doctor, does not affect or enhance male athletes’ performance.
The French midfielder posted on social media.
“I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offense, I want to thank the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges for hearing my explanation. This has been an incredibly distressing time in my life, as everything I’ve worked so hard for was put on hold.”
Pogba rejoined Juventus on a four-year deal in July 2022 after leaving Manchester United, where he spent six years.
However, his return to Turin has been plagued by injuries, but he’ll return to the squad in January when he is allowed to commence training, and his first competitive game will be in March 2025.
In the meantime, the World Cup winner spent his off time at Basketball games, and even ventured into music.
Recently, he was featured in a collaboration with Ivorien group, Team Paiya.
Pogba has made no secret of his love for music, particularly hip hop.
Although there’s been no official word on this project being a one-off, but the 31 year-old put in some work, and even appeared on a video for the song.
The song titled “Manger La Vie”, had the Frenchman drop minimal bars and the reviews were mixed; but it was largely well received by fans.
