Juve’s Paul Pogba provisionally suspended after testing positive for testosterone
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Paul Pogba was an unused substitute in the win at Udinese.
PHOTO: REUTERS
ROME – Juventus’ French midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone, Italy’s national anti-doping (Nado Italia) tribunal said on Monday.
After a nightmare season plagued by injuries and a blackmail affair, the 30-year-old’s dreams of bouncing back were shattered by the alleged doping offence after Juventus’ 3-0 win at Udinese on Aug 20, when he was an unused substitute.
Testosterone is a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.
“In acceptance of the instance proposed by the national anti-doping prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” Nado Italia said in a statement.
The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when it found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, adding that the results were “consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds”.
Juventus said they had been informed of the provisional suspension and were evaluating the next step, with the player anxiously awaiting the result of his “B” test.
If found guilty of doping, Pogba could be suspended between two and four years. His contract with the club expires in June 2026.
His agent Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement: “We are waiting for the results of the counter-analysis and cannot say anything until then. The only certain thing is that Paul Pogba never intended to break the rules.”
The Frenchman has had a torrid second spell with Juventus due to injuries since he returned, following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in July 2022.
The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as knee surgery, which prevented him from playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar.
He has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.
In an interview with Al Jazeera published on Monday, Pogba said he had considered retiring, having been worn down by alleged extortion attempts and threats.
He said: “Sometimes I was just by myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to have money any more. I just don’t want to play any more.’
“I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.” REUTERS, AFP
