French Midfielder Seeks Fresh Start After Doping Ban Reduction
Paul Pogba, the talented French midfielder, is exploring options to revive his career after a successful appeal reduced his doping ban from four years to 18 months. According to sources, Pogba has initiated talks with Juventus to potentially terminate his contract, paving the way for a fresh start elsewhere.
The 31-year-old, who has been sidelined since September 2023, will be eligible to resume training in January 2025 and competitive action in March. Both Pogba and Juventus are open to parting ways, which would allow him to sign with another club despite having a contract until June 2026.
Pogba’s time at Juventus has been marred by limited appearances, with only 12 games under his belt since his return from Manchester United in 2022. His last competitive outing was over a year ago, as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Empoli.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced Pogba’s ban after accepting that his ingestion of the banned substance DHEA was unintentional and resulted from taking a supplement prescribed by a medical doctor in Florida. Although the CAS panel acknowledged Pogba’s fault, they determined that he was not entirely to blame.
In a statement, Pogba expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “The nightmare is finally over, and I can look forward to pursuing my dreams again.” He reiterated his commitment to playing with integrity and thanked the CAS judges for hearing his explanation. This development marks a new chapter in Pogba’s career, as he seeks to put the past behind him and start anew.
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