PAUL POGBA faces a four-year ban after testing positive for a ‘B’ sample.
And Juventus are reportedly ready to rip up his £130,000-a-week contract as a result.
The Frenchman, 30, was provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test last month.
And a backup ‘B’ sample given by Pogba has come back positive as well.
Reports in Italy also claim Pogba could now have his £130k-a-week Juve contract ripped up.
Traces of testosterone were found in Pogba’s system following Juventus’ opening day win over Udinese.
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The former Man United star was an unused sub in the game but was hauled in by testers.
Pogba was automatically handed a provisional ban by Italian anti-doping chiefs.
And he was given three days to provide a secondary ‘B’ sample for counter-analysis.
That has now come back positive too.
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Although it is understood to have contained traces of a different substance, but not testosterone.
Pogba will now be hauled in for questioning by an anti-doping tribunal.
If found guilty, he faces a two-year ban.
But if he is guilty of doping intentionally, that could double in length to four years.
Pogba has a week to prepare his defence, and is expected to face a tribunal within two to four weeks.
His second spell at Juventus also hangs in the balance, with the Italians considering their next steps.
Terminating Pogba’s contract is one option, according to reports in Italy.
Boss Max Allegri said at Friday’s press conference: “I didn’t know, I’m sorry. We await the outcome of what will be the continuation. Talking about it now is of no use.”
After his initial positive test, Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta told Tuttosport last month: “We’re waiting for the counter-analysis and we can’t say anything now.
“For sure, Pogba never wanted to bend the rules — I can guarantee that.”
A statement from anti-doping chiefs read: A statement read: “The National Anti-Doping Tribunal announces that, in acceptance of the request proposed by the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office, it has taken steps to suspend the athlete Paul Pogba on a precautionary basis for violation of articles 2.1 and 2.2.
“Substance Detected: Testosterone metabolites of non-endogenous origin.”
Pogba’s club Juventus acknowledged the provisional ban, saying: “Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023.
“The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.”
Pogba rejoined Juventus from United in 2022 but has been limited to 12 appearances due to injury setbacks.
He played twice this season before his first positive test result.
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And just days before, Pogba vowed to show critics he is “not weak.”
He told Al Jazeera: “I want to make them eat their words. I want to show them I’m not weak. They can talk bad about me, I will never give up.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
