Olympique de Marseille has been heavily linked with a move for Paul Pogba (31), following the significant reduction of his ban towards the end of 2024. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced Pogba’s suspension from four years to 18 months, allowing him to return to training. He will be eligible to play again starting March 2025. However, if Pogba hopes to make his comeback on the pitch, it won’t be with Marseille—at least not this season.
🚫 Why Pogba Can’t Play for Marseille in March
Unlike some other leagues, Ligue 1 has strict rules when it comes to registering new players after the closure of the winter transfer window. Even though Pogba is technically a free agent, this status does not allow Marseille—or any French club—to register him outside of the designated transfer windows.
This rule applies to all free agents, not just Pogba, meaning that even players without a club cannot sign and play for Ligue 1 teams once the window has closed.
⚠️ Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes, but they are extremely rare. Ligue 1 clubs are only permitted to sign a player outside of the transfer window under very specific circumstances, such as:
- The death of a player within the squad.
- A serious injury to a goalkeeper that leaves the team without adequate cover.
- A player suffers an injury while on international duty with the French national team that rules them out for more than three months.
Since Pogba’s situation doesn’t fall under any of these categories, Marseille cannot register him until the summer transfer window opens.
⏳ What’s Next for Pogba?
If Pogba wishes to play for Marseille, he will need to wait until next season. In the meantime, he is allowed to train with clubs and maintain his fitness as he prepares for his eventual return to competitive football.
Despite this setback, Pogba’s reduced ban has reignited interest from several clubs, and Marseille remains a strong contender to secure his signature once the opportunity arises.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting his next move, as the World Cup winner looks to reignite his career after a turbulent period on the sidelines.
