Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally banned from football for taking a banned substance, the Italian Anti-Doping Authorities (NADO) said.
Pogba was accused of doping after Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20. After testing, NADO detected excessive levels of testosterone in Pogba’s body. The agency said Pogba had broken anti-doping rules by doing so.
Juventus said in a statement that Pogba has been suspended as a precaution. The statement also said that Juventus has the power to make all kinds of decisions regarding the next steps.
Pogba’s doping test was conducted on the basis of ‘A’ sample. If the ‘B’ sample also comes out positive, then Pogba will be banned for at least four years.
Meanwhile, Pogba’s agent Rafael Pimenta told AFP they were awaiting a second sample. No comments can be made before this result. But Pogba never wanted to break any law, it can be guaranteed.
In 2022, Pogba joined Juventus again from Manchester United. He previously won four Serie A titles and two Italian Cups for the Turin giants from 2012-16. In 2015, he played in the final of the Champions League.
Pogba was the star striker of France’s World Cup winning team in 2018. The 2022-23 season, however, could not match itself due to injuries. Pogba has played with controversies on and off the field. Pogba has been embroiled in controversies over a childhood friend and a brother involved in a large-scale fraud plot. He played only 10 matches for Juventus this season, and could not play for France in Qatar World Cup due to injury.
(September 12/MM)