Paul Pogba, whose doping penalty has been reduced, is returning to the pitch.

The French footballer Paul Pogba, who has a contract with Juventus, had his 4-year doping ban reduced. The star midfielder will return to the pitch early.

PENALTY REDUCED TO 18 MONTHS

Paul Pogba, who was banned for 4 years on September 11, 2023, for using DHEA, a substance that increases testosterone, appealed at the CAS center in Switzerland in August. According to a report in the Daily Mail, after the CAS overturned the decision and ruled that Pogba had mistakenly used DHEA, the French star's penalty was reduced to 18 months.

WILL RETURN TO THE PITCH IN MARCH 2025

Paul Pogba will start training with Juventus in January and will return to the pitch in March 2025. In a previous statement regarding the issue, Pogba said, "I believe the decision made is wrong. I am both sad and shocked that everything I have built over years in my professional career has been taken away from me in an instant. I have never knowingly used supplements that violate doping regulations."

WHY WAS HE PUNISHED?

The star player was banned after playing in the opening match of the 2023-2024 season, the Udinese-Juventus match. The French midfielder underwent a doping test on August 20, 2023, and was temporarily suspended in September after high levels of testosterone were detected in his blood. After a repeat test in October yielded the same result, the prosecution requested a 4-year ban for the world champion footballer. Paul Pogba's contract with Juventus continues until 2026.