Pogba suspended for anti-doping offence

Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, has been provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal for an anti-doping offence.

The test, performed after Juventus victory at Udinese on August 20, 2023, detected elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

The anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, said Pogba was suspended provisionally with immediate effect.

Pending a trial and testing of a backup “B” sample, he risks a suspension of up to four years.

It’s another negative note for a player who has been bothered by injuries ever since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United a little more than a year ago.

He was ruled out of France’s run to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury.

There’s also been a police investigation ongoing in France into allegations that Pogba was targeted by extortionists – including by his older brother, Mathias, who has denied any wrongdoing.

It’s also another blow to Juventus following a season marred by inquiries into false accounting and irregular reporting of salary payments.

The legal cases resulted in the Turin club being removed by UEFA from European competition this season.

Pogba and Juventus have not spoken on the suspension as of press time.