Doping ban for former world champion Pogba reduced

According to the media, former French soccer world champion Paul Pogba’s doping ban will be shortened from four years to 18 months. The British newspaper “Daily Mail” reported that Pogba achieved this with his appeal to the Cas International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Several French media outlets had the same information. There was initially no official confirmation of this from the highest sports court.

The 31-year-old midfielder from Juventus Turin could still hope to continue his career soon from next March; he could start training again from January 2025, it was said. The original ban was not due to end until August 2027.

Taken nutritional supplements

The responsible Italian sports court banned Pogba for four years at the end of February. He tested positive for testosterone in August last year after a Serie A game between Juventus and Udinese Calcio. The B sample confirmed the result. Pogba had appealed the decision to the Cas.

The 2018 world champion denies using banned substances to improve performance. However, he admitted that he had taken a food supplement whose package leaflet referred to performance-enhancing substances.

“I have never knowingly or intentionally taken nutritional supplements that violate anti-doping regulations,” emphasized the 81-time France international. “As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to improve my performance by using banned substances,” emphasized Pogba.