NEWS DIGEST– Juventus and France International midfielder Paul Pogba has failed a drug test after his ‘B’ sample tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.
It could be recalled that the 30-year-old was given a provisional suspension last month after his initial sample showed the same results. He was picked for random testing following a match between Juventus and Udinese, where he was an unused substitute. Pogba could be banned for between two and four years if found guilty of doping.
After Pogba’s initial suspension, Nado Italia confirmed that he violated anti-doping rules when it found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites.” The results indicated that the substance was exogenous in origin. Testosterone is a hormone that increases endurance in athletes. Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, stated that the player never intended to break any rules.
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Pogba returned to Juventus on a four-year deal in July 2022 after running down his contract with Manchester United and leaving as a free agent. However, his return to Turin has been marred by persistent injury problems, which also kept him out of last year’s World Cup in Qatar. This season, Pogba has played just 51 minutes as a substitute in games against Bologna and Empoli.
Last season, he managed to play only 108 minutes over six Serie A games, three brief appearances and one assist in the Europa League, and 11 minutes in the Coppa Italia, which totals to 162 minutes with no goals. Allegri said that Pogba had picked up a minor back problem following his appearance against Empoli. If Pogba is banned for two to four years, Juventus will lose a significant player, who has had a minimal impact on the team due to injuries.
Overall, this news casts a shadow over Pogba’s professionalism and his contribution to the team. Juventus will also have to consider Pogba’s contract, which runs until 2026, and his future with the club. The club may choose to terminate the contract if the ban is confirmed. This will be disappointing news for Pogba’s fans, who were excited about his return to Italy.
