Serie A: Paul Pogba faces drug scandal as back-up sample tests positive

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is facing a drug scandal after his back-up doping samples tested positive for a banned substance.

The recent development could potentially end the France international’s future at Juventus as a lengthy ban is often unavoidable in such situations.

The substance found in Pogba’s body is reported to be DHEA, a drug that can boost naturally produced testosterone and is sometimes found in supplements.

Meanwhile, the situation has left the former Manchester United man surprised, stating that he will test every product he has used, to know how the banned substance entered his body.

Pogba had been provisionally suspended by Juventus following the initial positive traces found in his doping tests, which were conducted in August.

The suspension came despite him being an unused substitute in a match against Udinese, which Juventus won 3-0. He was summoned after the match by the anti-doping officials for further investigations.

Despite the provisional ban, Pogba and his team insisted on a counter-analysis, the results of which were published recently. Unfortunately for the midfielder, the back-up samples also tested positive for traces of the banned substance.

The maximum sentence for a breach of doping rules can be as long as four years, which would have a big impact on Pogba’s footballing career.

However, he remains hopeful to prove that he did not take the substance knowingly.

Pogba currently earns around £8.6 million per year at Juventus and has three years left on his contract with the club.

The midfielder returned to Juventus from Manchester United on a free transfer but only made eight appearances in the Serie A last season, due to continuous injury worries.