Is there a twist like 'The Nightmare is over now?' Doping violations → Four-year suspension Pogba, successful appeal. There's a way back

Oct 05, 2024

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'The nightmare is over. Thank you CAS for listening to my story'

The light of redemption came to Paul Pogba (31, Juventus), who was almost forced to retire after doping tests detected banned drugs.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted Pogba's appeal and reduced the suspension to less than half. In other words, the road to his return to active duty has opened. Pogba is expected to be seen on the ground again as early as spring 2025.

British media Daily Mail reported on the 5th (Korea time) 'Pogba's four-year suspension for anti-doping charges has been reduced by 18 months through appeal. As a result, Pogba will be able to continue his active career. Since the suspension began in September 2023, according to the new ruling, the disciplinary action will end in March 2025. Arithmetically, it means that he can play again from April next year.

Pogba showed outstanding talent from his teenage years and built his career in big clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he played for the French national team and was once considered the best midfielder in the world, receiving the World Cup Best Newcomer.

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However, Pogba almost lost his career due to a momentary mistake. It was August of last year when he was a member of Juventus. Pogba, who was only on the bench without playing after the match against Udinese in the 2023-2024 season, was selected as the subject of the random inspection. In the test results, a prohibited drug 'non-resistant testosterone metabolite' was detected. It was a violation of anti-doping regulations.

Pogba asked for a second test, saying he did not deliberately take prohibited drugs. The sample was analyzed again, but the prohibited ingredients were still detected. In the end, Pogba was suspended for four years by the Anti-Doping Committee. If the suspension period is this long, he will have to retire.

Pogba actively appealed. Pogba was tried again through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The results of the ruling at the CAS headquarters in Switzerland at the end of August were quite surprising. According to the ruling, it was found that the ingredients pointed out as problematic drugs affect women. It is evidence that Pogba did not intentionally take prohibited drugs.

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Global sports media ESPN reported that `Pogba received food supplements from a doctor's friend in Miami, USA, and took them without any doubt, which contained prohibited ingredients.' Pogba is also a victim. CAS also significantly reduced the existing disciplinary period for this reason. However, it seems to have been maintained for 18 months because it is true that banned drugs have been detected.

Pogba said "Now the nightmare is over. I look forward to the day when I will realize my dream again. I have never deliberately broken the rules. Thank you to CAS for listening to my story."

wman@sportschosun.com

Is there a twist like 'The Nightmare is over now?' Doping violations → Four-year suspension Pogba, successful appeal. There's a way back

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