Paul Pogba’s failed doping test put the football world in great shock as the Juventus midfielder tested positive for testosterone on Monday, September 11.
After the first Serie A match of the 2023-24 season against Udinese, the former Manchester United player underwent a routine control.
The 30-year-old did not participate in the match, however, his test results indicated a positive presence of testosterone.
Testosterone is a hormone that has the potential to enhance muscle strength. It is commonly available in a variety of over-the-counter products found at pharmacies.
According to ESPN and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba explained the reason for the positive test to be a food supplement that the footballer had been prescribed by a friend who happens to be a doctor in Miami.
Although these specific food supplements are available in the USA, they are not available in Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport further stated that Pogba informed Juventus doctors that he had consumed substances that were not recommended by the team’s medical staff.
After news of the positive test emerged, the player’s agent, Rafaela Pimienta, issued a statement to RMC Sport in defense of her client.
The statement reads: “We are currently awaiting the counter-analyses, and it would be premature for us to provide our opinion until we have received the results. Certainly, Paul Pogba never intended to violate any rules.”
Paul Pogba’s never-ending ordeal
The suspension of the 30-year-old Juventus midfielder is yet another devastating setback for a man who has endured a series of hardships since his return to Turin.
Since rejoining Juventus in the summer of 2022, Paul Pogba has only started one game.
There is a significant possibility that he may never play for The Old Lady again following the discovery of elevated levels of testosterone in a random drug test conducted after the Bianconeri’s Serie A match against Udinese on August 20th.
The other problems the footballer has been battling with were not insignificant as he struggles with injury and blackmail.
It is worth noting that Pogba’s injury struggles occurred amidst a tragic family situation.
The player’s brother made several claims, one of which was an allegation that the player had hired a witch doctor to cast a spell on his France teammate Mbappe.
It is claimed that Pogba’s jealousy towards Mbappe was supposedly the reason behind this allegation.
What is indisputable is that this failed doping test is yet another significant setback for a player who has experienced multiple hardships since returning to Turin in 2022.
What’s likely to happen to Pogba?
As it stands, Pogba is on suspension following Juventus’ press release stating that he has been issued a precautionary suspension order by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
According to multiple Italian news outlets, it is being reported that if Paul Pogba is found guilty of doping, he could potentially be banned for a period of up to two years.
However, if the tribunal determines that he intentionally took the product, he could face a ban of up to four years.
