Julius OkorieFrance international, Paul Pogba, is to return to active football in March 2025, after his four-year dopping ban was slashed to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) it has been revealed.
Pogba’s original suspension, which started on September 11, 2023, followed a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance known for its testosterone-boosting effects.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPogba, who was facing the prospect of early retirement following he ban, now has a clear path to return to football, with the review permitting him to begin training with Juventus in January 2025 and compete in official matches by March.
READ ALSO:Pogba Gets 4-year Ban For Doping Offences
CAS in the course of the review, submitted that the substance only impacts females adding that Pogba’s use was inadvertent. The ruling did not only shorten the ban but also set aside original €5,000 fine slammed on the world cup winner and former Manchester United talisman.
According to Mail, an American clinic, 10X Health Systems, was cited in Pogba’s appeal, with photographic evidence linking the clinic to the supplements he consumed.
Pogba’s representatives and CAS have yet to comment publicly, but the ruling brings an end to months of uncertainty, allowing the 31-year-old to start planning his football comeback.
Football pundit Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the development on X, stating, “Paul Pogba will be back to action in 2025, confirmed!”
In March 2024, Pogba expressed his belief that the verdict was inaccurate and emphasised that he would never intentionally use doping substances.
Should everything fall in place, Pogba will return to action for Juventus against Verona on March 2nd 2025 at the Allianze Stadium.
Recall that Pogba made his second return to Juventus in 2022. Upon Pogba’s departure from Juventus in 2016, his former teammate Gianluigi Buffon compared him to former French playmakers Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane and also praised his leadership and hard work, both on the pitch and in training, stating that he “…is a tremendous warrior on the pitch but also has so much talent. His control of the ball and the way he can swiftly change the play from defence to attack is special.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
