Paul Pogba breaks silence after ex-Man United star learns drugs ban appeal decision

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has expressed relief after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The 31-year-old was sanctioned in March, following a provisional suspension in September last year, after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

However, former Manchester United player Pogba appealed and successfully had his suspension reduced, allowing him to return to play from March next year.

"Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again," Pogba said in a statement. He maintained that he never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations when he took a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance male athletes' performance.

"I play with integrity and, although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's judges who heard my explanation."

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He described the ordeal as "a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold."

Italy's National Anti-Doping Tribunal issued the ban, a standard length stipulated by the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA), but there is provision for it to be reduced if the athlete can prove the breach was not intentional, was the result of contamination or they provide "substantial assistance" to investigators.

CAS director general Matthieu Reeb informed The Guardian: "The suspension is now 18 months, starting September 11 2023."