Pogba at risk of four-year ban due to failed drug test after Juventus player making retirement claim

Ex-Manchester United star Paul Pogba has reportedly ‘tested positive for testosterone in a doping test’ and he’ll be ‘suspended’ pending further investigation.

The 30-year-old’s return to Juventus has not worked out as anyone intended. He was unavailable for most of last season as a result of injury.

Pogba has been restricted to just 12 appearances for the Serie A giants since the start of last season. So far this term, he has made substitute appearances in the league against Bologna and Empoli.

The former Man Utd midfielder would have been hoping to get his career back on track this season but – if the reports are to be believed – he is now set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Italian outlet Sport Mediaset are reporting that Pogba ‘tested positive for testosterone in a doping test last August 20th after Udinese-Juventus’ (the Frenchman was an unused substitute). The report explains.

‘The Juventus midfielder will therefore be suspended as a precaution and will have three days to request counter-analysis .

‘If positive is confirmed, Pogba will be tried by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal unless a plea deal is opted for. The disqualification, in cases of doping, reaches up to two years, which could become four in the event of proven intentionality.

‘Based on the last case in Serie A, which had concerned [Jose Luis] Palomino from Atalanta, then acquitted after missing four months, also missing the World Cup, the Frenchman from Juve should therefore be stopped for violating articles 2.1 and 2.2 , those concerning the “presence of a prohibited substance” and “the use or attempted use of a prohibited substance”.’

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Pogba recently admitted that he contemplated retirement after his brother – Mathias – was charged and detained over his involvement in a plot to extort around £11m from the World Cup winner.

Earlier this year, Pogba suggested that this process has had a “big impact” on his injuries and overall health.

“I kept all of this to myself for a long time and then I revealed it. This case has had a big impact on my body, especially on my injuries,” he said. “I’ve spoken about it with the French national team manager.”

During a recent interview, Pogba added: “Money changes people. … It can break up a family. It can create a war.

“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore.

“I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’ Sometimes it’s tough.”

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