Italian anti-doping authorities (NADO) informed AFP on Monday that Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been temporarily suspended following a doping test that revealed the presence of the prohibited chemical testosterone.
“The National Antidoping Tribunal informs that, in acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Antidoping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” NADO said in a statement to AFP.
NADO said the “prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, was consistent with a doping infringement.
The 30-year-old was not used as a substitute during the 3-0 victory over Udinese on August 20 that marked the start of the Italian Serie A season, according to the Italian press.
If the “B” sample also tests positive for testosterone, the test only applies to the “A” sample, and Pogba may receive a four-year suspension.
NADO published a statement on Monday to address rumors about Pogba that had appeared in the Italian press earlier in the day. Pogba was hoped to play for Juventus this weekend against Lazio.
Pogba was a key member of France’s World Cup-winning team in 2018, but his 2022–2023 season was terrible due to injury and a blackmail scandal.
He participated in just 10 games for Juventus that year and was unable to represent France in the 2022 World Cup.