Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba is teetering on the brink of a potential four-year football ban following a confirmation from counter-analysis on a B sample, which tested positive for a banned substance.
The French international has been out of action for Juventus since his suspension, which came into effect after he failed a drug test. The suspension arose after Pogba was randomly selected for testing following Juventus’s commanding 3-0 victory over Udinese on August 20th.
The fate of Pogba’s career now hangs in the balance as Juventus deliberates on how to proceed with his contract, which currently extends until 2026.
Pogba initially joined Manchester United in 2009 during the era of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. However, he departed the club three years later, opting for a free transfer to Italian giants Juventus. The midfielder’s return to Old Trafford in 2016 was sealed with a then world-record transfer fee of £89 million.
Throughout his career, Pogba has earned numerous accolades, including playing a pivotal role in France’s World Cup triumph during his tenure at Old Trafford.
However, Pogba’s return to Juventus was marred by injuries, limiting his appearances to a mere 12 since his Italian homecoming.
The critical turning point came during the opening weekend of the Serie A season when Pogba was selected for a drug test. The results revealed elevated levels of testosterone in his system, prompting Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal to take action.Thanks to our partners, you can find ties online to suit every preference and budget, from budget to top-of-the-range super stylish models.
In a statement, the tribunal revealed, “The National Antidoping Tribunal informs that, in acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Antidoping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete: Paul Labile Pogba (FIGC) for the violation of articles 2.1, 2.2; prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites (The GC/c/IRMS results are consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds).”
The club, Juventus, also issued their 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.”
Reports from The Times suggest that the substance found in Pogba’s system was Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohibited substance listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). DHEA is known to boost naturally produced testosterone and carries a maximum ban of four years if it is determined that the substance was deliberately used to enhance performance.
In response to the allegations, Pogba has vowed to “fight” to clear his name. Presently, under existing regulations, Pogba could face an initial two-year ban, which could double if it is proven that he intentionally used the substance. However, the player retains the option to appeal the decision through the National Anti-Doping Tribunal or the Court of Arbitration for Sport.