Pogba breaks silence on drug ban

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has expressed relief after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his doping ban from four years to 18 months. The 31-year-old was initially suspended in March after a provisional ban was issued in September for testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Pogba, a former Manchester United player, appealed the original decision, leading to the reduction of his suspension, which allows him to return to play in March next year.

“Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can pursue my dreams again,” Pogba stated. He emphasized that he never knowingly violated World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations when taking a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor, which he argued does not enhance athletic performance.

“I play with integrity, and while I accept this is a strict liability offense, I want to thank the judges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for considering my explanation,” he said, describing the situation as a “hugely distressing period” that put everything he worked for on hold.

The ban was issued by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, following the standard length set by the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA). However, reductions are possible if the athlete proves the breach was unintentional, resulted from contamination, or if they provide “substantial assistance” to investigators.