Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping violation, with elevated testosterone levels detected after a match.
Italy’s anti-doping tribunal provisionally suspended Pogba after a test following Juve’s win at Udinese on August 20. The test revealed heightened levels of testosterone, a performance-enhancing hormone.
Nado Italia, the anti-doping agency, imposed immediate suspension. Pending a trial and testing of a backup sample, Pogba could be banned for up to four years.
![Paul Pogba](https://capemedia.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nintchdbpict000316602640-1-1024x637.jpg)
Juventus acknowledged the failed test and is considering its next steps.
“Juventus Football Club announces that Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps,” Juventus said in a statement.
His agent has however issued a statement in response to the precarious situation insisting that the 30-year-old “never wanted to break the rules.”
“We are waiting for the counter-analysis and until then we can’t say anything. The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules,” Rafaela Pimenta said.
![Paul Pogba](https://capemedia.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TELEMMGLPICT000258533229_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq_2WwsQGciJHbwB_EulIANXTXwFA5Sm9XG0FxGoh8zMs-1024x576.jpg)
This development adds to Pogba’s recent struggles since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United over a year ago.
Injuries have plagued him, causing him to miss France’s World Cup final last year and limiting his Serie A appearances last season.
Although Pogba hasn’t started this season, he made two substitute appearances, the last one in a 2-0 win against Empoli.
Additionally, a police investigation is ongoing in France, probing allegations of extortion targeting Pogba, including by his older brother, Mathias, who denies any wrongdoing.
![Paul Pogba](https://capemedia.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/21d1d66e0d9df27acfe3cfc18f35b5ab1b4504ba-1024x576.jpg)
For Juventus, this incident compounds a troubled season marked by inquiries into false accounting and salary payment irregularities, resulting in their exclusion from European competition this year.
Pogba, a France international, has been given three days to respond to the developments which now raise questions about his future with the Italian giants.