Paul Pogba's drugs ban 'reduced' as ex-Man Utd star told when he can return to football

Paul Pogba will reportedly be allowed to train with Juventus from January after seeing his four-year drugs ban reduced to 18 months. The former Manchester United midfielder was banned from football for four years after failing a drugs test in 2023.

Pogba was provisionally suspended after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system. Five months later, he was hit with a four-year ban but denied any wrongdoing and pledged to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to the Daily Mail, CAS have reduced Pogba’s ban to 18 months which will allow him to return to football next year. It is said that he will be free to train in January and start playing matches in March, while his fine of around £4,200 has also been set aside.

CAS reportedly determined that Pogba inadvertently took DHEA, a banned substance known to enhance testosterone levels. Doping bans can be reduced in cases where an athlete proves it was not intentional or it was the result of contamination.

Pogba has since released a statement which reads: “Finally the nightmare is over. Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.

“I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.

“I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation.

“This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold. Thank you again for all the love and support. I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch.”

Pogba is tied down to Juventus until 2026, having signed a four-year deal with the Italian giants upon his arrival in 2022. It was reported earlier this year that Juventus were thinking about terminating his contract, but as of now he remains on their books.

The Frenchman was facing an early end to his football career if his four-year ban had been upheld by CAS. He insisted over the summer that he was ready to return, having been keeping himself fit in the hope of his ban being reduced or scrapped.

“Pogba isn’t finished,” he said. “Pogba is here and until you see me say that I’m finished, don’t worry. I have an incredible desire to come back, I feel like a child who wants to be professional. I train, I do everything I can to get back on the pitch.

“The latest news is I’m still a Juve player, I have the contract, but I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to the director and coach. There is silence. I think they’re waiting for the outcome of the appeal, but you have to ask them.”

Pogba’s return could be a huge boost for Juventus if he can get himself up to speed quickly. He will be looking to use his trophy-winning experience and wealth of creativity to help the Old Lady achieve domestic and European success.