Paul Pogba has returned a positive doping test, Italian media report. The thirty-year-old Juventus midfielder was caught on August 20 after the opening match in Serie A against Udinese (0-3 win). Pogba faces a suspension of up to four years and, given his age, must therefore fear the end of his career.
Pogba’s testosterone value appears to have been too high according to the doping test. An increased testosterone value is not permitted without therapeutic exemption. The midfielder did not play against Udinese: the Frenchman was on the bench for the entire match. Pogba did come on in the two league matches that followed.
A counter-analysis should show whether Pogba actually used doping. The last case of doping controversy in Serie A was that of José Luis Palomino. The 33-year-old Atalanta defender tested positive for nandrolone in 2022, but was subsequently acquitted by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
Pogba has been back at Juventus since last summer, which took him over on a free transfer from Manchester United. Pogba’s second period in Turin has so far been a major disappointment. The Frenchman, who became world champion in 2018, has great difficulty getting and staying fit. Last year he made a total of just twelve appearances for Juventus.
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