Paul Pogba provisionally suspended for anti-doping offence
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended from playing after an anti-doping offence.
The test was performed after Juve’s victory at Udinese on August 20, and it detected elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.
Moreover, Juventus released a statement acknowledging the failed test and said they were considering their next 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,” Pimenta added.
Paul Pogba could face a 4-year ban after failing drug test
Furthermore, anti-doping agency Nado Italia has provisionally suspended the French midfielder with immediate effect. Pending a trial and testing of a backup “B” sample, he risks a suspension of up to four years.
Pogba, who is suffering from injuries since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United, has now been hit by another negative news. The Frenchman was also ruled out of the World Cup last year due to a knee injury.
Moreover, he is yet to start a game this season and has only made two substitute appearances. The last appearance came against Empoli in a 2-0 win.
Pogba reveals he considered retiring from football over alleged blackmail plot
Pogba revealed this week that he considered retiring from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang.
The 30-year-old midfielder’s brother Mathias was detained in September 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the alleged plot, which Pogba claimed amounted to a bid to extort £11.1 million from him. However, Mathias was released in December, and denies the charges.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Paul Pogba said: “When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.
“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
