Sports
Paul Pogba’s Suspension Reduced, Set To Return To Football In 2025
Paul Pogba is set to return to professional football in March 2025 after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Juventus midfielder’s suspension, which began on September 11, 2023, will now end in March 2025, allowing him to resume training as early as January.
The 31-year-old World Cup winner faced the prospect of a lengthy exile from the sport, with some fearing it could end his career.
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However, CAS’s ruling offers Pogba a lifeline.
Originally banned for testing positive for DHEA, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list, Pogba’s appeal argued that he had unknowingly taken the substance, which primarily affects females.
This distinction played a key role in reducing the ban.
Pogba’s positive test came after Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese on August 20, 2023. Following the ruling, his €5,000 (£4,176) fine was also overturned.
The French international’s appeal, which took place in August 2024 at CAS headquarters in Switzerland, presented evidence linking an American wellness clinic, 10X Health Systems, to the incident.
Photographic proof of the clinic’s name on one of Pogba’s pill bottles was submitted as part of his defense.
Pogba can now begin preparations for his return to action, with Juventus expected to welcome him back into training at the start of 2025.
Nigerian para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji has once again showcased her dominance on the global stage, clinching gold in the women’s SL3 category at the Spanish Para-Badminton International 2025 in Toledo, Spain.
Bolaji, who is ranked world number two, secured her second title in two weeks with a commanding 2-0 (21-7, 21-10) victory over Turkey’s Halime Yildiz in Sunday’s final.
The Paralympic bronze medallist was in top form throughout the tournament, defeating India’s Sanjana Kumari 2-0 (21-15, 21-8) in the second round before another straight-game win over Yildiz (21-9, 21-12) in the third round.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji Shocks The World With Historic Paralympic Win
She continued her dominance in the semifinal, overpowering Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyba 2-0 (21-16, 21-4) to book her place in the final.
Reacting to Bolaji’s triumph, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, hailed her consistency and resilience, describing her as the only African player to have won 12 gold medals in all her international outings.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Eniola Bolaji on her incredible achievement of winning her 12th gold medal in as many international tournaments. This remarkable feat is a testament to her consistency, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence,” Orbih said.
“Bolaji has not only made Nigeria proud but has also firmly stamped her authority in the world of para-badminton. Her journey continues to inspire many, and we at the Badminton Federation of Nigeria remain committed to supporting her as she reaches even greater heights.”
Orbih also expressed excitement about Nigeria hosting the All African Para-Badminton/Abia International Para-Badminton Championships later this year, emphasizing that the event will further highlight the country’s growing influence in the sport.
“It gives me joy that the giants of Africa in para-badminton will be hosting an international championship and the African championship in Nigeria. It will give us an avenue to further expose other potential champions to the world,” he added.
Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa led the nine other states in organising trials for local government and federal constituencies on the first day of the trials for the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) from Tuesday, March 11.
In Yenagoa, Bayelsa State declared that it was aiming to put forward its best young athletes in a fair and competitive environment.
It turned out to be trail blazing of sorts in Eket where Akwa Ibom held the first day of trials with athletes featuring in Canoeing, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Basketball and Athletics.
It was gathered that the Commissioner for Sports Development and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Liaison Committee, Hon. Daniel Igali, who also serves on the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), met with the Bayelsa State Working Committee in his office on Wednesday.
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The meeting was to strategize towards achieving the expected goals for the festival that holds in Uyo from April 1-8.
Igali emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the competition by ensuring that all participating athletes meet the age requirement of 25 years and below. He reiterated that while winning is important, the primary focus should be on fair play, development, and showcasing young talent.
Igali met at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, with the coaches and association secretaries.
The discussions centred on establishing a structured and practical framework for conducting trials at both the Local Government Area (LGA) and Senatorial District levels.
In Eket, Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey was seen at different competion grounds supervising the trials with budding talents from the Eket Senatorial District competing for one of 316 coveted spots to represent the state at the inaugural event.
From the pitch to the tracks, mat, sand, river, pool, and courts, young athletes gave their all, showcasing their skills in various sports, including football, track and field, weightlifting, traditional wrestling, swimming, basketball, boxing, tennis, handball, canoeing, and volleyball. The organization of the trails was top-notch, conforming to the standards set by the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the festival.
The technical lead of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, Catherine Ekuta Ewa, expressed her excitement about the talents on display, saying, “If we can harness the talents we have seen here, Akwa Ibom will have a very bright future in sports.” She also thanked the organizers for creating an avenue for young athletes to be screened and aspire to compete at a higher level.
The trials, which were held in various locations across the Eket Senatorial District, including Eket town, Ibeno LGA, and Oron, saw a high level of competition, with many young athletes displaying exceptional skills and energy.
Nine states including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta are among the competing states. The rest are Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ondo and Rivers. The festival is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a sports intervention project to mark its 25th anniversary and also help to harness talents in the region.
Former Cameroon international and current FECAFOOT president, Samuel Eto’o, has been elected unopposed to the CAF Executive Committee during the organization’s extraordinary general assembly in Cairo on Wednesday.
Eto’o, who was the sole candidate from Central Africa, was initially barred from contesting due to a CAF-imposed suspension.
However, last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the ban, clearing the path for his return to football administration at the continental level.
READ ALSO: Patrice Motsepe Re-Elected CAF President For Second Term
Eto’o’s election comes after a turbulent period in his administrative career.
Last year, CAF suspended and fined him $200,000 for what it described as an ethics violation, citing his involvement as a brand ambassador for a betting company.
However, the sanction was later quashed by CAS, allowing him to re-enter the CAF leadership structure.
Despite his election, Eto’o’s tenure at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has been marred by controversies.
He has faced allegations of misconduct, including a six-month FIFA ban from attending Cameroon national team matches after a disciplinary incident at the 2023 Women’s U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Additionally, the ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan star was caught on video assaulting a football supporter outside a stadium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He later issued a public apology, saying:
“I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. It was an unfortunate incident.”
Eto’o’s election to the CAF Executive Committee marks a significant step in his transition from player to administrator.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, he enjoyed a decorated playing career, winning two AFCON titles (2000, 2002), an Olympic gold medal in 2000, and holding the record as AFCON’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals.
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