Paul Pogba, a midfielder for Juventus and France, tested positive for testosterone, according to the “B” sample, a person familiar with the situation told AFP on Friday.
The 2018 World Cup champion and 30-year-old ex-Manchester United player is subject to a four-year suspension.
Initially, testosterone metabolites were detected in the test conducted by the Italian anti-doping organisation (Nado).
On Friday, Pogba discovered that the results of the investigation of his B sample from the day before had been the same.
However, the player’s group chose not to respond to questions.
Pogba faces a four-year penalty under the World Anti-Doping Code; but, if he can show he was not at fault, the term might be reduced by half.
If the use of the chemical occurred “outside of competition and is not related to his level of performance,” the ban might even be short-lived, just lasting a few months.
The testosterone, according to Pogba’s agents last month, was obtained via a dietary supplement that was recommended by a doctor Pogba saw in the United States.
Notably, building muscles is encouraged by testosterone.
When contacted by AFP, Nado said that “a decision by the Italian privacy authority” prevented him from confirming this information.
The National Anti-Doping Tribunal of Italy has given Pogba seven days to provide his defence. The tribunal will then look into the matter and maybe request a sentence.
The Turin public prosecutor’s office will launch a judicial probe in addition to the processes of the Italian sports justice system because doping is a crime in that country.
Since it was revealed that his test was positive, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the team he joined again in July 2022 after six seasons with United.
The news broke just before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference the day before the Turin derby against Torino, where he only expressed his “sorry for Paul” sentiment.
The club, which has also stopped paying his projected yearly salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), was contacted by AFP but did not answer.
Beginning the season, Pogba made an effort to recover from a series of injuries sustained the previous year as well as from surgery in the summer.
He apparently had his sample collected at his club’s victory over Udinese on August 20 in the Serie A season opener for his team, during which he did not play.
Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta stated that she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results” after the first sample tested positive on September 11.
According to her, “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
