Following rumors that former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba had tested positive for high levels of testosterone, NADO Italia and Juventus have issued statements.
Paul Pogba has been given a temporary suspension after testing positive for a prohibited drug, according to the national anti-doping body of Italy (NADO Italia).
While playing for Italian team Juventus in their Serie A match against Udinese on August 20, the former Manchester United midfielder, who had two stints with the Premier League giants after advancing through their renowned Academy system, tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone. That match was won by Juventus 3-0.
On that day, Juventus did not use Pogba, who played 233 games for United and contributed 51 assists and 39 goals. The World Cup winner did, however, play in the two games that followed against Bologna and Empoli, totaling 52 minutes in two brief cameos from the bench.
NADO issued the following statement: “In acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Anti-doping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba (FIGC) for the violation of articles 2.1, 2.2; prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites (The GC/c/IRMS results are consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds).”
The declaration came after various reports surfaced on Monday afternoon claiming that France’s 91-cap international Paul Pogba, 30, had abnormal testosterone levels revealed during random tests conducted following Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese.
Before Pogba can be declared to have failed the drug test, a second test sample will now be examined. The entire test will be deemed negative if that sample is clear, and the maximum penalty for a failed test can be up to four years, provided that any doping was proved to be purposeful.
His suspension was deemed “precautionary” by his club Juventus. The National Anti-Doping Tribunal issued a precautionary suspension order for player Paul Labile Pogba today, September 11, 2023, in response to the findings of tests conducted on August 20, 2023, according to a statement from the Serie A team.
“The club reserves the right to consider the subsequent steps in the process.”
Pogba’s comeback to Juventus has been significantly hindered by injury. He played 10 games last season despite suffering four separate injuries to his knee, groin, and hamstring. As a result, he was unable to watch France advance to the championship game before handing the trophy to Argentina.
