Paul Pogba Recieves Provisional Suspension for Anti-Doping Offence

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended from playing after a drug test found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) stated Pogba was tested after Juve’s 3-0 win at Udinese on August 20. The 30-year-old France international — who was an unused substitute during the game — was randomly selected for post-match drug testing.

The former Manchester United star has now been suspended by Italy’s anti-doping organization on an initial precautionary basis and has three days to request a B sample. Failing to provide the sample, the maximum suspension Pogba could face is four years, starting with an initial two-year ban, which can be doubled if it’s proven the substance was taken deliberately.

Juventus confirmed Pogba’s suspension in a club statement, saying: “Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 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 August 20, 2023. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.”

The most recent similar case in Serie A saw Atalanta’s Jose Luis Palomino receive a ban before it was absolved after having missed four months, when a positive test for the steroid, clostebol, was overturned by the B sample.

However, this news for Pogba is another negative note for the player who has been set back by injuries ever since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United just over a year ago.

The player was ruled out of France’s run to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury and played in only six Serie A games for Juventus last season. Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.

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