The confirmation of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s failed drug test has come after his B sample also tested positive.
Pogba, aged 30, was provisionally suspended last month when his initial drug test showed heightened levels of testosterone in his system. This random testing occurred following Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Udinese on August 20th, a match in which he was present as an unused substitute.
Should he be found guilty of doping, Pogba could potentially face a suspension ranging from two to four years.
Nado Italia declared, after Pogba’s initial suspension in September, that he had violated anti-doping regulations. They detected “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites,” and the results indicated these substances had an “exogenous origin.”
Testosterone, a hormone known to enhance athletes’ endurance, was the prohibited substance in question.
Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, firmly stated during the initial suspension that Pogba had never intentionally intended to break any rules.
Paul Pogba made a much-anticipated return to Juventus in July 2022, securing a four-year contract after his Manchester United contract had expired, making him a free agent.
However, his second stint with Juventus has been riddled with recurring injury problems, including missing the previous year’s World Cup in Qatar.
In the current season, Pogba has been limited to just 51 minutes as a substitute in games against Bologna and Empoli. During the previous season, he accumulated 162 minutes of playing time across various competitions, including Serie A, Europa League, and Coppa Italia, without registering any goals.
Most recently, he encountered additional injury concerns, with Juventus coach Massimo Allegri noting a minor back problem following his appearance against Empoli.
