'A hugely distressing period' - Paul Pogba delighted that doping ban 'nightmare is over' after Juventus midfielder's suspension is reduced

The France international successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and now he can return to football from March 2025. The 31-year-old, who was suspended in September 2023 after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has since described this period as a "hugely distressing" time in his life as he expressed his relief at the verdict.

The Frenchman's statement reads: "Finally the nightmare is over. Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again. I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency 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 period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold. Thank you again for all the love and support. I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch."

The former Manchester United man admitted he contemplated retirement in 2023, before admitting he was "not finished" with football this summer. He still has more than 18 months left on his Juventus contract and can return to training at the start of next year. There may yet be a redemption arc for France international.

Had the original ban stood, Pogba would not have been able to play until 2027 - when he would have been 34. As a result, the 2018 World Cup winner, who was ruled to have inadvertently taken the banned substance which boosts testosterone levels, could be back playing in a matter of months.