Paul Pogba's return date confirmed after four-year doping ban reduced on appeal.

Paul Pogba's four-year doping ban has been reduced to only 18 months following a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Pogba was handed the lengthy sentence in February this year after he tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) last August.

The compound promotes the production of hormones in the body, including testosterone.

The World Cup winner was facing the prospect of retirement if the ban was upheld but the Frenchman has seen his ban significantly reduced after proving that he inadvertently took the banned substance.

The 31-year-old is now free to resume his career at Juventus from March next year and is reportedly allowed to recommence training in January.

Pogba has not officially spoken out on the reports but hinted at his potential return with a picture on Instagram captioned with a sand timer emoji.

According to the Daily Mail, Pogab’s appeal took place at CAS’ headquarters in Switzerland in August, with photographic evidence of the potentially contaminated product crucial in clearing his name.

Pogba was provisionally suspended in September last year after an adverse finding was discovered in his post-match drug test following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20.

Pogba was named as a substitute for that game but did not make an appearance. A counter-analysis of the sample was requested, however, that also came back with a positive result.

Anti-doping prosecutors in Italy requested a four-year suspension for the former Manchester United midfielder which was accepted by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA).

Following the initial ban, Pogba said he was ‘sad, shocked and heartbroken’ and vowed to clear his name.

Pogba, who returned to Juventus after a mixed spell at United, had endured a torrid time with injuries prior to his ban.

The Frenchman made just ten appearances in all competitions in his first season back in Italy and played just two games prior to his ban last season having sustained a back injury.

He will return to a Juve side that are currently unbeaten and second in Serie A under new manager Thiago Motta.

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