Sports
Pogba’s Doping Ban Reduced to 18 Months
Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been significantly reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
This reduction means that Pogba, who is currently a midfielder for Juventus and part of the France national team, will be eligible to resume his football career much sooner than initially feared. Originally handed a four-year suspension after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which promotes the production of testosterone, Pogba’s ban now stands at 18 months.
Pogba can return to training with Juventus in January 2025 and could be playing competitive matches by March 2025. He expressed relief, stating, “Finally, the nightmare is over,” and indicated his eagerness to return to the pitch, emphasizing his integrity and gratitude towards CAS for hearing his case.
Paul Pogba’s Statement
The reduction was based on the grounds that the doping was not intentional. Pogba had argued that the substance was part of a nutritional supplement prescribed by a doctor, not intended to enhance performance.
This ruling allows Pogba, at age 31, to potentially play out the remainder of his contract with Juventus, which extends until 2026, rather than facing the prospect of missing out on football until he was 34. The positive test occurred in August 2023, leading to a suspension in September of the same year.
The case exemplifies how strict liability in doping can be mitigated under certain circumstances, like unintentional ingestion or contamination. This outcome provides Pogba with an opportunity to reclaim his career, which has been marred by injuries and now this doping scandal, albeit with a significant portion of his peak years having been lost.
This milestone was celebrated at a ceremony held at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
A cross section of the twenty-three Ghanaian referees honored with their FIFA badges.
The badges, awarded annually by FIFA based on performance, fitness tests, and assessments from the previous year, authorize these officials to officiate international matches throughout 2026 across various formats.
The group includes:
- 10 Centre Referees
- 10 Assistant Referees
- 1 Futsal Referee
- 1 Beach Soccer Referee (notably, Portia Oppong, highlighted as a historic first female in this category for Ghana)
- 1 Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
Veteran referee Daniel Nii Laryea lead the list, retaining his status with dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and VAR official, showcasing his consistent excellence on the African and global stages.
Veteran Ghana referee Daniel Nii Laryea
In his address the GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated them and urged them to aim for world-class standards: “Aspire for greatness. You are the soul and heart of the game.” He emphasized impartiality, fairness, and the responsibility that comes with representing Ghana internationally, with continued FIFA recognition depending on ongoing performance.
This achievement reflects Ghana’s strengthening presence in global refereeing, especially after past challenges in the sport. These referees are now set to take the pitch in international competitions, bringing pride to the nation.
Well done to all involved—keep upholding the highest standards!
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