Highlights:
- Paul Pogba failed a doping test, proving that he had illegal substance in his body.
- Pogba may consequently face a four-year ban.
- Pogba missed almost all of the previous season due to injury.
Formerly regarded as one of the premier midfielders in global soccer, Paul Pogba’s career hangs in the balance following a positive testosterone test while playing for Juventus and the French national team.
The anti-doping organisation in Italy reported on Monday that Juventus midfielder had tested positive for testosterone.
After Juventus’ Aug. 20 match at Udinese, the test was conducted. Pogba was on Juventus’ bench but did not participate in the Serie A match.
The anti-doping organisation Nado Italia said that Pogba has been suspended temporarily with immediate effect. He runs the possibility of a suspension of up to four years while a trial and testing of a backup “B” sample are ongoing.
For a player who has struggled with injuries ever since joining Juventus from Manchester United a little over a year ago, it’s another discouraging development. He was unable to participate in France’s World Cup run last year because of a knee injury.
Police in France are also looking into claims that Paul Pogba was the target of extortion attempts, including those made by his older brother Mathias, who has denied any wrongdoing.
It’s also another setback for Juventus after a season ruined by inquiries into fake accounting and illegal payroll reporting. Due to the legal issues, UEFA disqualified the Turin club from this season’s European competition.
At present, neither Pogba nor Juventus has issued an immediate statement regarding this matter.
Pogba, who began his career at United before moving on to Juventus and then returning to Manchester, was known for his versatility, physicality, and eye for the goal. In 2016, when he came back to United, the Manchester club paid Juventus an amount that set a new record at the time: 105 million euros ($113 million).
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