Paul Pogba given new return date as four-year drugs ban drastically reduced after appeal
Paul Pogba will be able to play again in March
GETTY
Paul Pogba will be able to return to professional football in March after having his four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months.
The 31-year-old was provisionally suspended in 2023 after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone.
He was then slapped with a four-year ban, although Pogba confirmed his intentions to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The appeal has now been heard with CAS reducing Pogba's ban to just 18 months.
Paul Pogba will be able to play again in March
GETTY
According to the Daily Mail, Pogba will now be allowed to begin training with Juventus in January and will be available to play matches in Match.
The Frenchman will also not have to pay the £5,000 fine he was initially given
Pogba said he was 'sad, shocked and heartbroken' after he was initially banned for four years.
"I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect," Pogba said.
"I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.
"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
"As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
"As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
Paul Pogba departed Old Trafford for Juventus back in 2022
GETTYMassimiliano Allegri, who Juventus sacked at the end of last season, said he felt 'sorry' for Pogba after news of his four-year ban earlier this year.
"I wrote him a message two days ago," Allegri said in March.
"On a human level I'm very sorry, but also from a footballing point of view.
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Paul Pogba was vital as France won the World Cup back in 2018GETTY"This sport is losing an extraordinary and difficult to find player who I had the pleasure of coaching.
"On top of that, Paul is also a very good person."