Paul Pogba gets a new return date to football following doping scandal

France international Paul Pogba has received a new return date to playing football following a long-term ban due to a doping scandal.

One of the most famous football players in the world, Paul Pogba, is no stranger to the highs and lows that comes with having a professional athlete's career. Pogba's brilliance has long been recognized, as seen by his World Cup victory with France and his several domestic championships at Juventus and Manchester United.

The midfield maestro did, however, recently confront a significant obstacle when his career was allegedly jeopardised by a doping scandal, where after testing positive for DHEA, a drug that is prohibited and naturally elevates testosterone levels, Pogba was placed on temporary suspension in September 2023 by a tribunal of Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia).

Paul Pogba was later handed a long-term ban from football as a result of the doping scandal but from all indications, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as a result of recent developments.

Recent reports reveal that the French international will be back in action for Juventus by January 2025 and can be selected for fixtures by March of the same year. He further announced that Pogba’s 4-year drug ban has been reduced to 18 months and he can start training with Juventus in January and by March, he would be allowed to play official matches.

When the news of his doping broke out, Pogba denied any wrongdoing, he said in a statement: “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

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