French footballer Paul Pogba’s doping suspension has been reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after initially being handed a four-year ban. Pogba was suspended by Italy’s anti-doping organization in September 2023 for testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that increases testosterone levels.
Despite denying any wrongdoing and planning to appeal the decision, Pogba’s suspension has now been adjusted to end on September 11, 2023. The 31-year-old, who plays for Juventus, expressed relief on social media following the announcement, eager to resume his career and pursue his dreams.
Pogba’s agent emphasized that the footballer never intended to violate any rules, explaining that the banned substance was mistakenly consumed through a prescribed nutritional supplement. The Cas tribunal confirmed the presence of prohibited testosterone metabolites in Pogba’s sample, pointing to external origins for the compounds.
In a statement, Pogba expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging period and vowed to share his full story once legal restrictions are lifted. The player’s suspension has caused significant distress as his career was put on hold, but with the reduced ban, Pogba can now focus on returning to the sport he loves.
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