Pogba ‘never wanted to break a rule’ – Juventus midfielder faces possible four-year ban

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 12/09/2023

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended from active football and faces a possible four-year ban.

This comes after confirmation of elevated levels of testosterone in his system following a drugs test.

Paul Pogba, 30, could be banned for between two to four years after drugs test (Image: Fabrizio Romano on X)

Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) stated the player was tested after Juventus’ 3-0 victory at Udinese on 20 August.

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Pogba had been randomly selected for post-match drug testing even though he was an unused substitute.

Meanwhile, Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta has said the France international “never wanted to break a rule”.

The 30-year-old could face a ban of between two and four years if found guilty of doping.

Juventus statement read: “Juventus Football Club announces that today, 11 September, 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 20 August, 2023.

Counter-analysis expected from Pogba’s camp as soon as possible

“The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps”.

Pogba was the most expensive football signing when he joined Manchester United for £89m in 2017 (Image: Fabrizio Romano on X)

Pimenta also said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

Nado said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules. The body said it found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolite”.

It added that the results were “consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds”. Testosterone is a hormone that increases the endurance of athletes.

Pogba has three days to produce a counter-analysis of the result to Nado.

Paul Pogba faces a ban of between two to four years after being provisionally suspended from professional football (Image: Fabrizio Romano on X)

Pogba re-signed with Juventus in July 2022 but his second stint at Turin has been plagued with injuries. He also missed last year’s World Cup due to injury problems.

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His playing time has been reduced to a total of 51 minutes so far this season. He appeared as a substitute in matches against Bologna and Empoli.