- By Vishal Pushkar
- Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Paul Pogba, midfielder for Juventus and the French national team, has been provisionally suspended from playing due to an anti-doping offense. Italy's national anti-doping tribunal (NADO Italia) announced that Pogba's test results showed elevated levels of testosterone after Juventus' 3-0 victory against Udinese on August 20. This provisional suspension is a serious matter, and Pogba will likely face further investigation and potential consequences as a result of this anti-doping violation.
NADO Italia said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance "non-endogenous testosterone metabolites", adding that the results were "consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds".
Testosterone is a hormone that can enhance athletes' endurance and performance. In cases of elevated testosterone levels, athletes may be subject to anti-doping regulations and testing to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of sports.
Paul Pogba has a three-day window to provide a counter-analysis of the test result to NADO Italia. If he is found guilty of doping, he could face a ban from football for up to four years, which would have significant consequences for his career.
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"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," it said in a statement.
Pogba, who was an unused substitute in Juve's win against Udinese, has faced a challenging period since rejoining the Serie A club from Manchester United in 2022.
The 2018 World Cup winner missed most of last season with knee and hamstring injuries and was also absent from France's run to the World Cup final in Qatar due to knee surgery.