Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended by anti-dopping chiefs after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.
The 30-year-old delivered the result in a routine test after Juventus’ opening Serie A match of the season away at Udinese on August 20. The former Manchester United player had been an unused substitute during the game.
A statement from Juventus states: “Juventus Football Club announces that today the player Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the adverse outcome of the analyses carried out on 20 August 2023. The Company reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”
On Monday (September 11), the World Cup winner said that he was considering quitting football altogether after allegedly being blackmailed by a group of gangsters in his native France, who were said to have included his brother.
Former Guinea international Mathias Pogba, 32, was arrested in September 2022 over his alleged involvement in the plot, which his brother said involved an attempt to extort him of £1.1 million.
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.’ This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
Paul Pogba will now undergo a second round of testing in order to determine a definitive result. Should he return another positive test, he will then be tried by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal and could face a playing ban of up to four years.
The baller has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.
