Everything we know about Paul Pogba's suspension: why he was suspended and when he can return after the appeal

Paul Pogba's future in football has been rescued after his four-year ban for doping offenses was significantly reduced.

He Juventus of the midfielder The suspension has been reduced to 18 months. meaning you are free to start playing again from March 2025.

Pogba, who initially feared the end of his career with a ban until March 2027, will be able to return to training in January.

He was provisionally suspended on September 11, 2023, after testing positive for high levels of testosterone in his body.

the first manchester united The star was randomly tested after Juve's first match of the 2023/24 season, a 3-0 win in Udinese on August 20.

Pogba was an unused substitute in that match, but made two cameo appearances against Bologna and Empoli before its ban was announced.

The French international was then suspended from football for four years – finish your season and ruling him out of Euro 2024.

Pogba would have had to miss the 2026 World Cup if he had served his suspension in full, but now he could even return this season.

This marks an emotional whirlwind for the 31-year-old, who arrives after French football journalist Julian Laurens told talkSPORT in February his belief that Pogba never intentionally doped.

How was Pogba banned?

Pogba returned a test that showed high levels of testosterone when Juventus played Udinese in late August 2023.

The Italian anti-doping authority (ONAD) said the midfielder violated the rules when they found the banned substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites.”

Following the first results, Pogba and his team immediately demanded that a counter-analysis be carried out.

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And they showed that the midfielder's backup samples also tested positive for traces of a banned substance.

Testosterone is a naturally produced steroid hormone, but in sports, additional amounts can increase an athlete's endurance.

It is mainly used to build muscle mass, but it can also increase the athlete's concentration and motivation.

Pogba's agent, Rafela Pimenta, stated at the time of the suspension: “The truth is that Pablo Pogba “I never wanted to break a rule.”

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Have there been similar incidents?

talkSPORT understands The substance found in Pogba's body was DHEAwhich increases naturally produced testosterone.

That can be found in supplements, and it was Pogba and his team finding the product to show how it got into his body.

The final sentence of the CAS that reduced his suspension to 18 months confirmed that the Frenchman took DHEA without realizing it.

Ingesting the testosterone booster by any means still deserves punishment as it is on WADA's banned list, but the lack of intent behind it has seen Pogba's ban reduced.

During his time at Ajax, the current Man United goalkeeper André Onana tested positive for the banned substance furosemide.

The Cameroonian He claimed that he unknowingly took a pillLasimac, which his wife had previously been prescribed to relieve discomfort.

UEFA He accepted Onana's version of events but was still suspended for 12 months, although this was later reduced to nine on appeal.

The Argentine midfielder who won the World Cup Papu Gómez is currently serving a two-year sentence of football following a doping case during his time in Seville.

The Monza attacker said the banned substance terbutaline found in his system came from his son's cough medicine.

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When can Pogba return?

Pogba was facing the possibility of his career ending prematurely, with his original ban not due to expire until March 2027.

By then he would be 33 years old and his suspension would go back to the date of the failed test.

However, the worst thing for the Frenchman would be that the four-year contract he signed at Juventus upon his return in July 2022 had expired, leaving him a free agent.

The CAS ruling means Pogba can play matches again in March 2024 and is available to train at Juventus two months earlier.

His original €5,000 (£4,100) fine was also quashed.

Pogba can now plan to get his second season back on track at the Old Lady as injuries ruined his first season in Italy.

He played just ten games in the 2022/23 campaign after leaving Old Trafford, making just one start in all competitions.

Pogba then played just twice for Juventus last season, although both appearances were as a substitute off the bench.