Paul Pogba provisionally suspended after testing positive for anti-doping offence

Italy’s anti-doping agency has announced that former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.

The test performed after Juventus’ victory over Udinese on August 20, detected elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

Pogba faces a maximum ban of four years for taking the banned substance. He was suspended by Juventus as a precaution and has three days to request counter-analysis of his results.

Sport Mediaset reported that while doping violations carry a maximum sentence of two years, it could be increased to four if it is proven he intentionally took the substance. If he tests positive in a second sample, Paul Pogba will face a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Tribunal in Italy, that is unless he admits to taking the substance intentionally.

Announcing his suspension, Juventus said in a statement;

“Juventus Football Club announces that today the player Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the adverse outcome of the analyses carried out on 20 August 2023. The Company reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”