Daily Post: Paul Pogba returns to football pitch after spending months training alone – CAS 

Daily Post: Paul Pogba returns to football pitch after spending months training alone – CAS

According to Daily Post, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba expressed his relief on social media following the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to reduce his doping ban from four years to 18 months.

 

 

The CAS announced on Friday that Pogba’s suspension would now last 18 months, starting from September 11, 2023.

 

The original four-year ban was imposed by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal back in February after Pogba tested positive for a banned substance. With the reduction in his suspension, Pogba will be eligible to return to competitive football on March 11, 2025, just days before he turns 32.

 

 

In his statement, Pogba shared his feelings of relief: “Finally, the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.” He maintained his stance regarding the doping allegations, stating, “I always stated that I never knowingly breached anti-doping regulations; I play with integrity and I want to thank the Court of Arbitration who heard my explanation.”

 

 

Pogba also reflected on the toll the situation has taken on him personally: “This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I’ve worked so hard for has been put on hold.” His message included gratitude for the support he has received during this challenging time: “Thank you for all the love and support. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch!”

 

This decision by CAS allows Pogba to envision a return to the field, where he aims to resume his career with Juventus and the French national team. Given his considerable talent and past contributions to both squads, his comeback is highly anticipated among fans and teammates alike. The reduction of his ban not only provides a second chance for Pogba but also signals a more forgiving approach to doping violations within the sport, potentially influencing future cases involving other athletes.

 

Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Pep Guardiola

Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Pep Guardiola celebrate with the Premier League title.

A football finance expert has predicted the outcome of Manchester City’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) case against the Premier League.

 

Man City were charged with breaching over 100 of the Premier League’s financial fair rules at the start of 2023. This followed a four-year probe into their conduct between 2009 and 2018.

 

Since then, Everton and Nottingham Forest have been docked points for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules. Man City’s case has already dragged on longer than most would like but their situation is far more complicated.

 

If found guilty, Man City could be given a points deduction, transfer ban, huge fine or expulsion from the Premier League.

 

Pep Guardiola‘s side have insisted their innocence and they fought back against the Premier League earlier this year.

 

This came in the form of an unprecedented legal battle against the Premier League as they have campaigned for the removal of APT rules. This case has already been heard, while the FFP hearing is currently ongoing.

 

If Man City achieved success in their APT hearing, it is understood that it would dramatically alter the FFP case as the majority of their charges would become redundant.

 

The APT verdict is yet to be made public, but a recent report from Football Insider claimed Man City are ‘fearing a substantial loss’.

 

‘Manchester City could have suffered a substantial loss in their associated party transactions (APT) case against the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.

 

‘A relaxation of the rules would mean Premier League clubs could potentially agree sponsorship deals as high as they wanted with no challenge, increasing the amount they could spend under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

 

‘But sources have told Football Insider the fact there haven’t been any wholesale changes yet to the APT rules in the governing body’s handbook suggests the club have likely only secured a minor success at best.’

 

Former Everton chairman Keith Wyness has ‘hit out at the new spin war’ involving Man City and the Premier League.

 

He claims “no one knows anything yet”, but he has predicted the final APT “decision”.

 

“No one knows anything yet, these are the facts,” Wyness said in an interview with Football Insider. “There are rumours from both sides, but no one knows.

 

“Even the clubs who are paying the legal bill for the league to challenge City, don’t know. So they’re footing the bill without knowing what the decision is.

 

“We’ve got to find out. I believe it will be a score draw, with some adjustments to these rules on both sides.

 

“We’ll have to wait and see. At the moment, it’s just spinning in the media from both sides.”