According to Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offense
The test, which was conducted following Juve’s victory over Udinese on August 20, found higher levels of testosterone, a hormone that improves players’ endurance.
The anti-doping body Nado Italia said that Pogba has been suspended indefinitely. He faces a four-year suspension pending the trial and testing of a backup “B” sample.
Juventus issued a statement in which they acknowledged the failed test and stated that they were examining their next moves.
The revelation is yet another setback for a player who has been plagued by injuries since returning to Juventus from Manchester United a little over a year ago.
He missed France’s World Cup run last year owing to a knee injury and appeared in only six Serie A matches for Juventus last season.
Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has appeared as a substitute twice, most recently in a 2-0 win over Empoli.
In France, a police investigation into allegations that Pogba was targeted by extortionists is also underway, including by his older brother, Mathias, who has denied any wrongdoing.
It’s also another setback for Juventus after a season marked by investigations into misleading accounting and incorrect wage payment reporting. As a result of the legal proceedings, UEFA barred the Turin club from competing in European competition this season.
Paul Pogba Reveals A Dark Truth On His ‘Blackmail’ Tragedy
Earlier on Monday, Pogba revealed he was nearly driven to quit football after being blackmailed by an organized crime organization.
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Mathias, the 30-year-old midfielder’s brother, was arrested in September 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the alleged scheme, which Paul said was an attempt to extort £11.1m from him.
Mathias was released in December and maintains his innocence.
In July of last year, shortly after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer to rejoin Juventus, Paul Pogba reported the incident to Turin prosecutors.
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.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
According to Laure Beccuau, a Paris prosecutor, the investigation is looking at charges of “armed gang blackmail, kidnapping, and membership in a criminal conspiracy.”
