Berlin, 5 October 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Paul Pogba has expressed relief that his doping ban has been slashed from four years to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), making the Juventus midfielder eligible to play again next March.

Pogba was banned for four years until August 2027 by an Italian ati-doping tribunal in February after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) at a Serie A match against Udinese in August 2023.

The midfielder protested his innocence and appealed at the CAS.

The CAS was yet to make an official statement but reports said that it upheld Pogba's appeal that he inadvertently took in DHEA via a supplement.

“Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again,” the French player was quoted as saying in a statement by the Press Association and other reports.

"I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.

"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.

“This has been a hugely distressing pediod in my life because everything I’ve worked so hard has been put on hold. Thank you for all the love and support. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch!”

Pogba had initially not commented directly on the reports but posted a photo seemingly showing his lower legs, and an hour glass in the caption as a possible reference to his comeback.

MIA file photo