Everything we know about Paul Pogba's football ban – why the French star was punished and when he is set to return

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Paul Pogba is looking for a new club after his four-year ban for doping offences was heavily reduced.

The French midfielder’s suspension was decreased to 18 months in October, making him free to start playing again in March 2025.

Pogba, who was originally fearing the end of his career with a ban running until March 2027, can start training in January.

He was provisionally suspended on September 11, 2023, after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

The former Manchester United star was randomly tested after Juventus‘ first match of the 2023/24 season, a 3-0 win at Udinese on August 20.

Pogba was an unused substitute in that game but had two cameo outings against Bologna and Empoli before his ban was announced.

He was then suspended from football for four years – ending his season and ruling him out of Euro 2024.

Pogba would have had to sit out the World Cup in 2026 if he served his suspension in full, but now he might even return this season.

It won’t be with Juventus though, after his contract at the club was terminated, allowing him to move onto his ‘next chapter’.

It marks an emotional whirlwind for the 31-year-old, which comes after French football journalist Julian Laurens told talkSPORT in February his belief that Pogba never intentionally doped.

How did Pogba get banned?

Pogba returned a test that had high levels of testosterone when Juventus played Udinese at the end of August 2023.

The Italian anti-doping authority (NADO) said the midfielder violated rules when they found the prohibited substance ‘non-endogenous testosterone metabolites’.

After the initial results, Pogba and his team immediately demanded a counter-analysis to be carried out.

And they showed that the midfielder’s back-up samples also tested positive for traces of a banned substance.

Testosterone is a naturally produced steroid hormone but in sports, added amounts can increase an athlete’s endurance.

It is mainly used to develop muscle mass but can also boost an athlete’s concentration and motivation.

Pogba’s agent, Rafela Pimenta, said at the time of the suspension:  “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”

Have there been similar incidents?

talkSPORT understands the substance found in Pogba’s system was DHEA, which boosts naturally produced testosterone.

That can be found in supplements, and it was down to Pogba and his team to find the product to show how it got into his body.

CAS’ final judgement that slashed his suspension to 18 months confirmed that the Frenchman did inadvertently take DHEA.

Ingesting the testosterone booster by any means is still punishment-worthy as it is on WADA’s banned list, but the lack of intent behind it has seen Pogba’s ban curtailed.

During his time at Ajax, current Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana tested positive for the banned substance Furosemide.

The Cameroonian claimed he unknowingly took a pill, Lasimac, that his wife had previously been prescribed to ease discomfort.

UEFA accepted Onana's version of events but he was still banned for 12 months, though this was later reduced to nine on appeal.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Papu Gomez is currently serving a two-year ban from football stemming from a doping case during his time at Sevilla.

The Monza attacker said that the banned substance Terbutaline found in his system came from his son's cough medicine.

When can Pogba return?

Pogba was facing the possibility of his career ending prematurely, with his original ban not due to expire until March 2027.

He would have been 33 by that time, with his suspension backdated to the date of the failed test.

CAS’ ruling means instead Pogba can play matches again in March 2025, and is available to train two months earlier.

His original €5,000 (£4,100) fine has also been set aside.

Pogba can now plan to find a new club after his Juventus contract was terminated and he’s aiming to potentially appear at the Club World Cup next summer.

He is believed to be working hard on his return and is excited to play again following the reduced ban.

Pogba was linked with a switch to his native France with Marseille whilst Premier League sides are now on red alert with the view of drafting in the free agent.

There has also been interest from Saudi Arabia as well as MLS with the ambitious Inter Miami also an option.

A potential link-up with Lionel Messi is likely to be fuelled further by the news that Pogba is currently training in Miami where he owns a property.