Reports from Italy suggest that former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has allegedly tested positive for the use of testosterone.
As of now, neither the player himself nor his current club, Juventus, Serie A officials, or the Italian Football Federation have officially confirmed or commented on these allegations.
The claims point to elevated levels of the hormone discovered during random checks conducted after Juventus’ Serie A season opener against Udinese on August 20, as reported by the news agency ANSA.
Although Pogba did not start that match, he later made substitute appearances in subsequent games against Bologna and Empoli. The exact entity responsible for conducting these tests remains unclear.
Sportmediaset suggests that if Pogba is found guilty, he could face a hearing before the National Anti-Doping Tribunal and potentially receive a football ban lasting up to two years, which may extend to four years if it can be proven that he knowingly took the substance.
With Juventus scheduled to play against Lazio at 2 pm on Saturday, the Frenchman’s participation in the match now hangs in uncertainty in light of these reports.
Pogba’s recent tenure with Juventus has been plagued by injuries, limiting his playing time significantly last season due to knee, groin, and hamstring issues. He also missed the 2022 World Cup due to these injuries.
Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2022, completing a record-breaking £89 million transfer from Juventus in 2016. During his time with the English club, he made 233 appearances, scored 39 goals, and contributed 51 assists, winning both the Europa League and the League Cup.
