CAS says Pogba’s ban was lifted after experts agreed with claims of unintentional doping

The French soccer player Paul Pogba’s doping ban was cut from four years to 18 months after experts agreed with his claims that he had accidentally taken in an illegal substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.

International player from France was temporarily banned by Italy’s NADO Italia in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone levels and is illegal.

Pogba said his “nightmare is over” after CAS shortened the term last week. The 31-year-old has a deal with Juventus in Italy that runs until June 2026. He will be able to play football again in March.

CAS said in a statement that Pogba had said that he didn’t mean to take DHEA and that it happened after he took a supplement that a doctor in Florida had recommended for him.

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

“Several experts agreed with Mr. Pogba’s side of the story. A lot of the proof that Mr. Pogba gave was not contested.

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

The last time Pogba played for Juventus, they beat Empoli 2-0. That was more than a year ago. Though he returned to Juve after leaving Manchester United on a free move in 2022, his second time there was disappointing because he kept getting hurt.