CAS Reduces Pogba’s Suspension After Experts Confirm Doping Claims

Paul Pogba’s doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French soccer player’s claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.

The France international was temporarily suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping organization (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a prohibited substance that increases testosterone levels.

CAS reduced the sentence last week, with Pogba saying his “nightmare is over.” The 31-year-old, who has a contract with Italy’s Juventus until June 2026, will be eligible to return to football in March.

In a statement, CAS said Pogba had argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional and had occurred after he consumed a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida.

“Mr. Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high-level US and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr. Pogba’s anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code,” CAS added.

“Mr Pogba’s case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Mr Pogba was unopposed.

“The CAS Panel determined, however, that Mr Pogba was not without fault and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid greater care in the circumstances.”

Pogba last appeared for Juventus in a 2-0 victory against Empoli over a year ago. His second stint with Juve has been disappointing due to injuries since rejoining the Turin club on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2022.