Paul Pogba reportedly tested positive for testosterone after Juventus’ first game of the season against Udinese.
The Frenchman has endured a difficult return to the Italian club – who he rejoined from Manchester United last year – amid a battle with injuries and fitness.
Outlets in Italy – including Corriere dello Sport and Sportmediaset – are claiming he is set to be suspended after traces of testosterone were found in his system early in the campaign.
Pogba has played just 32 minutes of action this season and was not involved in the opening Serie A clash against Udinese.
Should Pogba be found guilty, he will reportedly be investigated by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal, who could hand him a ban of up to two years, according to Sportmediaset. Should the tribunal prove that the alleged doping was intentional, the ban could then be extended to four years, it goes on.
The reports from Italy claim Pogba may have violated articles 2.1 and 2.2 of Serie A’s regulations – which are ‘the presence of a prohibited substance’ and ‘the use or attempted use of a prohibited substance’.
Mail Sport has approached Juventus for comment.
Testosterone is a hormone which can provide increased muscle size and strength, including faster recovery from physical exertion. There are a number of drugs and medications that contain testosterone and it can also be found in the form of injections and gels.
Pogba was linked with a move away from Juventus this summer with clubs from Saudi Arabia rumoured to be interested in the man who once cost Manchester United £90million, but a move never came to fruition.
He has spent much of his time back at Juventus on the sidelines, having featured just 11 times in total since sealing a transfer back to the giants of Italian football.
Pogba’s latest episode caps off a turbulent few years for the Frenchman following his difficult six-year stay at Manchester United before news of a shocking £11m extortion plot against him involving his brother.
The 30-year-old was threatened by a gang of masked, armed men in a Paris apartment who demanded millions for ‘protection services.’
The ongoing probe has seen several individuals investigated over allegations of armed extortion, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy against Pogba.
Pogba’s brother Mathias spent three months in prison between September and December last year while police investigated his role in the extortion attempt, while four others were also placed under formal investigation.
Pogba opened up on the episode this week – revealing how it made him contemplate retirement in addition to causing ‘war’ in his family and ruining his physical and mental health.
‘Money changes people. … It can break up a family. It can create a war,’ said Pogba.
‘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.’
The previous year he was quoted by L’Equipe as telling judges about the impact the affair had on his playing career.
‘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.’
Pogba also confessed he feared his friends and family would be hurt by the gang.
