- The Frenchman was set to play in his first match since having his ban reduced
- Paul Pogba will be permitted to return to competitive action in March 2025
- This Man City team is DONE and Pep Guardiola has been sleeping on the job – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Supporters have been left fuming after Paul Pogba’s expected return to the pitch was cancelled just four days before the returning Frenchman was set to play.
The former Manchester United midfielder was previously handed a four-year suspension from playing after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone following Juventus’ opening game of the 2023-24 season.
Pogba successfully appealed his original ban with it subsequently being reduced to just 18 months and the World Cup winner being permitted to return to competitive action in March 2025.
The 31-year-old is planning to restart his career with his contract at Juventus being terminated and is now attempting to rebuild his fitness by playing in exhibition contests.
His first return to action was set to take place in the King’s Cup clash in Dubai but he now won’t be playing in the contest that was meant to get underway in the Middle East next week.
Football legends were set to go head-to-head in the exhibition with John Terry and Paul Scholes amongst those featuring alongside Pogba, but the event has now been cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Supporters have been left fuming after Paul Pogba’s expected return to the pitch was cancelled just four days before he was set to play
Pogba is permitted to return to competitive action in March 2025 after his doping ban was reduced
Organisers cited ‘unforeseen circumstances’ as the reason for the game being cancelled and has now been pushed back until February, with refunds being offered to ticket holders.
Announcing the decision to reschedule the icons match, the organisation said: ‘Dear Football Fans, we regret to inform you that the King’s Cup Dubai has been rescheduled to February 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances.
‘For refunds, please visit the Platinum list website and follow the instructions for your ticket.
‘We will announce the specific dates for the rescheduled event soon, so please stay tuned for updates. Thank you for your understanding and support -Team King’s Cup,’ he added.
Fans were furious with the decision and vented their anger at the organisation with the lateness of the cancellation causing mass problems for some ticketholders.
Pogba’s first return to action was set to take place in the King’s Cup clash in Dubai but he now won’t be playing in the contest
Posting on Instagram, one fan stated: ‘That is not FAIR AT ALL, my son will be very sad he was dreaming and counting days to meet Roberto Carlos and also I cannot find any refund link on website. Please inform.’
Another angered supporter similarly added: ‘Dude I literally have been counting days to see pogba????? WHY.’