Backup B sample of Juventus’ Paul Pogba tested positive for testosterone in the exams carried out by Italy’s anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, meaning that the French World Cup champion midfielder can face a ban of up to four years.
“Humanely, I’m sorry for Paul,” the club’s manager, Massimiliano Allegri, said on Friday.
Pogba is currently under suspension that began nearly a month ago when he was tested positive after the Serie A game against Udinese on August 20. He was sitting on the bench during that game.
Neither Juventus nor Pogba himself have publicly contested the results of the tests so far. He will face a doping investigation. Meanwhile, according to ESPN, a police investigation has been going on in France into allegations that Pogba was targeted by extortionists. His brother was involved but denied any wrongdoing.
It has been over a year since Pogba returned to Juventus as a free agent, but he only made 12 appearances for the club, scoring nothing but one assist. His poor form and injuries cost him a place in the French squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. If he suffers a four-year ban, Pogba will miss both the UEFA European Championship next year in Germany and the World Cup in 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
It has been years since Pogba was in the news with regards to his often tumultuous relationship with Manchester United, his alleged unprofessional attitude as an athlete and his continuously slipping performances, among other things. However, he only turned 30 in March. It was only seven years ago when United paid as much as 105 million euros to acquire him from Juventus.
Pogba scored 39 goals and 51 assists in 233 games as a “Red Devil,” winning one UEFA Europa League title and one EFL Cup. He had earlier won four Serie A, two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies with Juventus during his first stint in Turin.
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