The 31-year-old received the suspension last year after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a compound that enhances hormone production, including testosterone.
Pogba, however, maintained that he never “knowingly or deliberately” took any banned substances and promptly appealed the decision.
CAS has now heard his appeal and reduced the ban to 18 months. According to the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, Pogba will be allowed to resume training in January and could be eligible to play again by March.
Despite the initial four-year suspension, Pogba has remained under contract with Juventus and will be available for selection under Thiago Motta later this season.
His last appearance came in September 2023, as a second-half substitute in Juventus’ 2-0 victory over Empoli.
Pogba was randomly tested after a match against Udinese two weeks prior, where he was an unused substitute. Both his A and B samples tested positive for DHEA, with the B sample confirmed in October. In December, anti-doping prosecutors initially pushed for a four-year ban.
Following the ban’s announcement, Pogba expressed his dismay, stating, “I believe the verdict is wrong. I am devastated that everything I have worked for in my career has been taken away. Once I am free from legal restrictions, the full story will come to light.
I have never knowingly or deliberately taken banned substances. As a professional athlete, I would never disrespect or cheat my fellow athletes or supporters.”
