Paul Pogba was hit with a four-year ban after DHEA was found in his system.

Paul Pogba has broken his silence after Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced a decision on his drugs ban.

The Juventus midfielder was suspended for four years an initial sample taken after a game against Udinese showed DHEA – a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body including testosterone – was found in his system.

In response to the ban imposed, Pogba denied “knowingly or deliberately taking any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations” and stressed he would appeal the verdict.

And the World Cup winner has been successful in his appeal as CAS have reduced his ban down to 18 months.

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It means Pogba can start training again with Juventus in January before returning to Thiago Motta’s squad in March.

In response to the news, Pogba issued a lengthy statement on the matter and expressed his delight at the decision.

Image: Getty

“Finally the nightmare is over,” a statement from Pogba read, as per Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail.

“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.”

Pogba had also took to social media to post an egg timer emoji along with a picture of his Adidas boots.

His last appearance for Juve was in September 2023, during a 2-0 win at Empoli.

Pogba’s positive result from a B sample was returned in October following random testing after a game against Udinese.