What now for Paul Pogba? Latest on Juventus star amid doping suspension
Jacque Talbot
- 6 Oct 2023 08:20 CDT
- 4 min read
Pau Pogba’s future in professional football is under question after the Juventus midfielder’s B sample returned positive on Friday after a provisional suspension for testosterone.
The former Manchester United star faces a ban of up to four years following a random drug test taken after his club’s 3-0 win at Udinese on 20 August.
Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO Italia) announced it had taken the measure to suspend the veteran on a provisional basis and now Pogba awaits his sentence.
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Pogba, whose contract is up in 2026 at the Old Lady, is not allowed to participate in training or games and so has been keeping his fitness up individually. Moreover, he has had his pay suspended by the Turin giants.
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli previously told La Repubblica on the matter: “We’re waiting for the counter-analysis. Termination of the contract? We wait then we will decide with Pogba’s camp how to proceed. It’s just time to look forward.”
It is an ominous message for a player with 91 Frane caps, who stands to lose a fortune.
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Pogba’s Juventus future
Pogba’s future at Juventus now looks bleak. A four-year ban would surely end his professional career, and though the suspension could be reduced to two years if he can prove the drugs were not taken intentionally, it would be surprising if the Serie A club were to hold out for him.
Equally, the ban could last just a few months if his use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not linked to his level of performance”.
Until this has been determined, his club are unlikely to change their stance.
Juventus said in a statement at the time: "Juventus Football Club announces that today, 11 September, 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 20 August, 2023. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps."
Pogba's agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was "awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results. What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule”.
The 30-year-old re-signed Pogba on a four-year deal in the summer of 2022 after the player left Manchester United as a free agent.
But his return to the club has been hampered by injury woes - Pogba has played a total of 51 minutes this season, coming on as a substitute against Bologna and Empoli.
