It’s a turbulent episode if not a career death knell for Paul Pogba as his second ‘B Sample Drug Test’ has come out positive.
Pogba initially tested positive for testosterone – a banned substance – on August 20 after Juventus’ Serie A match against Bologna.
However, as a matter of procedure before final decision, he was asked to request for his counter-analysis – a second test to either disprove or affirm the previous result.
Pogba requested for the counter-analysis test and now Italian outlet Gazello dello Sport have revealed the result has come out positive again.
This means Paul Pogba will be prosecuted by Italian anti-doping authorities immediately and will face lengthy ban of up to four years if he is found guilty.
However, the duration of the sentence could be shortened to two years if he proves beyond all reasonable doubt he did not intentionally take the substance.
Meanwhile, Juventus had released a statement confirming the club’s position on the drug scandal. Juventus said they reserve the right on the next line of action on Pogba following the drug test.
The club made the statement after Pogba’s first test result emerged. With the counter-analysis result out, Juventus will certainly take a decision on Paul Pogba soon.
Sources close to the club have revealed Juventus are more likely to terminate Pogba’s contract. The embattled former Manchester United star has made only 14 appearances for Juventus in the past two seasons after he rejoined the club in 2022 from Manchester United.
He has been battling with a niggling knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines, reducing his second stint with the Old Ladies to a nightmare.
