Pogba could face FOUR-YEAR BAN after testing positive for doping
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 11 Sept 2023 19:28 BST
- 3 min read
Paul Pogba has reportedly tested positive for doping after traces of testosterone were found in testing following Juventus’ win over Udinese on the opening day of the season on August 20th.
The 30-year-old has struggled with injuries since re-joining Juventus last summer on a free transfer from Manchester United and did not feature in the 3-0 win despite being randomly tested.
Pogba was brought on as a substitute in the club's next two games before suffering a back injury according to manager Max Allegri and reports in Italy have now revealed the results of the tests, with Juventus confirming that the player had received a 'precautionary suspension order'.
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A statement read: "Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps."
The Frenchman now has three days to produce a counter-analysis of the result, with a second sample set to be checked before Pogba can be declared to have failed the test, after which he will face a hearing unless he admits to taking the banned substance.
Pogba risks a ban of up to four years, with testosterone being a substance that cannot be taken with a therapeutic exemption despite often being used to treat injuries outside of football.
Pogba hit with another setback to stuttering career
The controversy would be the latest setback for Pogba, who made just six Serie A appearances last season due to his fitness issues, which also saw him miss the 2022 World Cup.
The ex-United star had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer and spoke out in the last few days of how he had contemplated giving up football during his recent ordeals.
Pogba also faced personal issues with his family being linked with extortion plots against him and led to a kidnapping attempt in March last year.
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There are still three years remaining on Pogba’s contract at Juve, where he is one of the club’s highest earners, and all eyes will be on further developments in order to determine the future of the World Cup winner.
