On Monday, Italy’s anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, revealed that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba had tested positive for testosterone.
The test was conducted following Juventus‘ match against Udinese on August 20.
While Pogba did not participate in the Serie A game, he was present on Juventus’ bench.
As a result of this positive test, Nado Italia has imposed an immediate provisional suspension on Pogba. Pending a trial and the testing of a backup B sample, he faces the possibility of a suspension lasting up to four years.
“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 they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites,” adding that the results were “consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds.”
Juventus issued a statement acknowledging the positive result and suspension, adding that it would “evaluate the next procedural steps.”
“We are waiting for the results of the counter-analysis and cannot say anything until then,” Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement reported by Italian media.
“The only certain thing is that Paul Pogba never intended to break the rules.”
Paul Pogba, who has been plagued by injuries since his return to Juventus from Manchester United just over a year ago, has encountered another setback. He was sidelined from France’s journey to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury.
In addition to his injury struggles, Pogba has been at the center of a police investigation in France concerning allegations of extortion, with even his older brother Mathias implicated, although Mathias has denied any wrongdoing. Earlier on Monday, Pogba admitted to contemplating retirement as these events unfolded.
In the current season, Pogba has not yet started a game but has made two substitute appearances, with his most recent appearance coming in the 2-0 victory against Empoli.
This development adds to the challenges faced by Juventus, which endured a season marked by investigations into false accounting and irregular salary reporting. These legal matters resulted in UEFA excluding the Turin club from European competition this season.
As of now, Pogba has not provided an immediate comment on the situation.
Paul Pogba's agent Rafaela Pimenta has issued a statement following his provisional suspension for an anti-doping offence. pic.twitter.com/wqEMXu5FUR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 12, 2023