Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a provisional suspension after testing positive for testosterone following the Bianconeri's win over Udinese last month.
The former Manchester United man has only made fleeting appearances for the Old Lady since returning in 2022, having endured a miserable time with injuries.
Pogba was named among the substitutes for Juve's 3-0 win over Udinese on the opening day of the season, before coming off the bench against Bologna and Empoli in the past couple of weeks.
The France international was also working to be fit for Saturday's home showdown with Lazio, but following a random doping test taken after the Old Lady's win over Udinese on August 20, his entire career could now be in jeopardy.
A statement from the Italian Anti-Doping tribunal revealed that Pogba had presented "non-endogenous" levels of testosterone from the test last month - a hormone which can lead to increased strength and endurance.
"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)," NADO Italia said.
Pogba now has three days to provide a counter-analysis, but should the World Cup winner be found guilty of doping offences, he could allegedly be facing an unprecedented ban of anywhere between two and four years.
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Juventus addressed Pogba's positive test on Monday evening, saying in a short statement that the club would now ponder the "next procedural steps".
"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," Juventus said.
Should Pogba receive the maximum punishment, the Frenchman would be unable to partake in football-related activities until after his 34th birthday, although his second stint with Juventus has been a forgettable affair already.
After leaving Man United upon the expiration of his contract, Pogba sustained a severe knee injury in pre-season and did not appear in a competitive fixture for Juventus until the end of February, having made the bench against Monza on January 29 before picking up a groin strain.
The midfielder then spent more time in the treatment room with abductor and hamstring issues, which saw him restricted to a mere 10 appearances in the 2022-23 season, including a single start in Serie A.
Before departing Man United for a second time, Pogba was also at the centre of an alleged extortion plot involving his brother Mathias Pogba, who spent three months in prison before being released under judicial review.
Ben Knapton
