Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba faces four-year ban after positive doping test
Paul Pogba could face up to four years of suspension as he has tested positive in counter-analysis on a second sample following his anti-doping offence.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder was provisionally suspended on September 11 this year due to an anti-doping offence. Pogba tested positive for testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.
Following Juventus’ opening Serie A game against Udinese on August 20, the Frenchman tested positive for testosterone. The Italian National Anti-doping Agency (NADO Italia) and Juventus refrained from making any public statements on the matter.
However, the results of a counter-analysis came back positive, and now Pogba risks a suspension of up to four years.
Paul Pogba’s second sample confirms positive drug test
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.
Furthermore, Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.
Nevertheless, now Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.
The World Cup winner started the season in an attempt to bounce back from his recent string of injuries last season. But the positive results for testosterone could mean his career is over if he faces a four-year ban.
