2023-10-06 14:55:12
Juventus French midfielder Paul Pogba, suspended for a positive doping test, had requested a second opinion. The results confirmed on Friday the presence of testosterone in samples taken in August. The French player risks four years of suspension.
Published on: 06/10/2023 – 2:55 p.m. Modified on: 06/10/2023 – 3:38 p.m.
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The nightmare continues for Paul Pogba: the second opinion requested by the 2018 world champion after his positive doping test in August confirmed, Friday October 6, the presence of testosterone, and now exposes him to a four-year suspension.
The information, initially given by the Gazzetta dello Sportthen other Italian media, was confirmed to AFP by a source with knowledge of the file.
Less than a month after his provisional suspension on September 11 by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado), Paul Pogba, 30, learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on Thursday, had revealed the presence testosterone metabolites, as in sample A.
Four years of suspension?
The international midfielder (91 caps) is liable under the World Anti-Doping Code to a four-year suspension which could however be reduced by half if he manages to demonstrate non-intentionality.
It could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “outside competition and is not linked to their level of performance”.
Testosterone, the hormone of fertility and male sexuality, promotes muscle development.
To explain this positive anti-doping test, those close to “La Pioche” announced last month that the testosterone metabolites came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.
Seven days to give his defense
Pogba now has seven days to communicate his defense to the National Anti-Doping Tribunal which will examine his case and request a sanction, a procedure which could take several weeks.
In addition to the ongoing procedure of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, doping being considered an offense in Italy.
Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba can no longer train with Juventus Turin, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons at Manchester United.
Contacted by AFP, the Piedmont club, which has also suspended the payment of its salary estimated at 8 million euros per year until 2026, has not yet reacted.
On the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, the announcement came shortly before the press conference of Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri who simply said “sorry for Paul”.
Pogba’s entourage, contacted by AFP, for their part did not wish to react.
Nightmare year
This doping affair is the final repercussion of a nightmarish year and a half for Pogba, on and off the field.
On the pitch, he only made ten appearances last season in the Juve jersey, due in particular to an injury to the meniscus in his right knee, which he ended up having surgery on in September. Too late to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But it was far from the field that the player experienced the worst.
He was kidnapped in March 2022 for three hours by three childhood friends and two old acquaintances from the neighborhood where the Pogba grew up in Roissy-en-Brie, near Paris, to extract 13 million euros from him by involving two hooded men armed with rifles.
In this case of attempted extortion by an organized gang, one of his brothers is notably involved, while his mother, his wife and even his agent have been the subject of threats.
In mid-September, in Paris, Pogba was confronted for five hours by five of his relatives suspected of having played a role in his kidnapping.
Thigh injury
The 2023-24 season was looking better for Pogba despite a summer preparation disrupted by the aftermath of his injury and his operation.
Summoned for the first day of the Italian Championship for the trip to Udine, on the sidelines of which he was controlled by the anti-doping authorities, he did not play that day. But a week later, on August 27, he came into play three months after his last match, in the home draw against Bologna (1-1).
In an interview with the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera broadcast just a few hours before the announcement of his positive test, Paul Pogba promised to come back “stronger”.
He must now hope to be able to come back at all.
With AFP
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