The world of football is shaken by news that makes supporters of Juventus and the French national team shudder. Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been suspended following a positive doping test. The results of the second opinion confirmed the presence of testosterone in the samples taken in August. This confirmation exposes the player to a four-year suspension.
Paul Pogba had requested a second opinion in the hope of contesting the results of the first check. Unfortunately for him, the results confirmed the presence of testosterone, a hormone that promotes muscle development. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, the player faces a four-year ban unless he proves he did not intend to use banned substances. In this case, the suspension could be reduced by half.
Paul Pogba’s entourage tried to explain this positive doping test by claiming that the testosterone metabolites came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States. However, it is now up to the National Anti-Doping Tribunal to review the case and make a decision on the sanction to be imposed on the player.
This doping affair is a new blow for Paul Pogba, who has already had a difficult year on and off the field. He suffered a serious injury to his right knee, thus missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In addition, he was the victim of an extortion attempt where he was held captive for three hours with his family, not to mention the legal problems that followed.
For now, Juventus have suspended Pogba’s salary payment and the player can no longer train with the team. The club is waiting to see what the National Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision will be before taking further action. At the same time, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, because doping is considered an offense in Italy.
This case is a reminder that doping remains a serious problem in the world of sport, and that no one is immune from the consequences of their actions. Hoping that this serves as a lesson to all athletes to maintain integrity and ethics in their practice.