Juventus midfielder and France international Paul Pogba (30) has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offense, according to Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal. Reports emerged this Monday that the 2018 World Cup winner with France had tested positive for testosterone in the aftermath of Juventus’ opening-day Serie A game against Udinese. Pogba took no part in that game that Massimiliano Allegri’s side had won 3-0. Pogba is currently sidelined after sustaining a minor injury when playing Empoli before the international break.
Nevertheless, given the seriousness of today’s reports, Pogba is expected to be ineligible for multiple games with Juventus. Italian anti-doping rules state that Pogba is potentially facing a four-year ban if proven guilty of intentional doping. Italy’s Tribunale nazionale anti-doping has provisionally suspended the former Manchester United man and released the following statement, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The National Anti-Doping Tribunal, in acceptance of the request proposed by the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office, has proceeded to suspend the athlete as a precaution: Paul Labile Pogba (Figc) for breaching articles 2.1 and 2.2; substance found: Testosterone metabolites of non-endogenous origin.”
Juventus have released a club statement as well. “Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.“
To prove his innocence, Pogba has no choice but to request a counter-analysis of the positive drug test.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
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