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Juventus' Paul Pogba. Picture: REUTERS/MASSIMO PINCA
Juventus' Paul Pogba. Picture: REUTERS/MASSIMO PINCA

Nashik — Paul Pogba’s doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French footballer’s claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.

The France international was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping organisation (Nado Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA — a banned substance that raises levels of testosterone.

CAS reduced the sentence last week, with Pogba saying his “nightmare is over”. The 31-year-old, who has a contract with Italy’s Juventus until June 2026, will be eligible to return to football in March.

In a statement, CAS said Pogba had argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional and had occurred after he consumed a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida.

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

“Pogba’s case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Pogba was unopposed.

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

Pogba last played for Juventus in a 2-0 win at Empoli more than a year ago. He had a disappointing second spell with Juventus due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club after his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022.

Reuters

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