Paul Pogba breaks his silence after his four-year doping ban was reduced following appeal – as midfielder closes in on return to training
Paul Pogba has broken his silence after his four-year doping ban in football was cut short.
After an appeal, Pogba’s ban was shortened from four years to just 18 months, paving the way for him to return to play in March.
The former Manchester United midfielder took to social media shortly after Mail Sport exclusively broke the news, sharing a cryptic post seemingly addressing the announcement.
On his year.
His return date has been set at 18 months after the ban was originally imposed in September 2023. He can train again in January, before playing matches from March.
Paul Pogba has broken his silence after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months
The midfielder can train again in January and play in March after the suspension is shortened
The midfielder shared a message on social media after Mail Sport’s exclusive story featured a pair of Tapedesign socks with the French flag on them.
The final judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that Pogba had accidentally taken DHEA, a testosterone-boosting drug on the WADA banned list.
Crucially, however, the ruling states that DHEA only affects women.
Pogba later released a statement in which the French World Cup winner celebrated the end of ‘the nightmare’.
‘Finally the nightmare is over.
‘After the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can make my dreams come true again.
“I have always stated that I have never knowingly violated World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when taking a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a physician and which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.
“I play with integrity and while I must accept that this is a breach of strict liability, I would like to express my gratitude to the judges of the Court of Arbitration for Sport who heard my explanation.
“This has been an extremely painful time in my life as everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.
‘Thank you again for all the love and support.
“I just can’t wait to get back on the field.”
The former Manchester United midfielder faced a possible retirement if the ban was upheld
Pogba won the World Cup with France in 2018 as an important part of Didier Deschamps’ team
Pogba’s appeal took place at the end of August at CAS headquarters in Switzerland and the player was only recently informed of the verdict.
The former Manchester United midfielder was suspended after playing for Juventus in the opening match of the 2023/24 season against Udinese on August 20.
Mail Sport revealed in May that a US clinic, 10X Health Systems, is at the center of Pogba’s ongoing battle to clear his name, with the company mentioned in the midfielder’s submissions.
It is believed there is photographic evidence that 10X Health Systems’ name appears on the label of at least one of the pill bottles Pogba received.
