After the A-sample, Paul Pogba’s B-sample now also contained a testosterone level that was too high. This could mean the Frenchman could face a year-long ban
The result of the opened B-sample of Paul Pogba (30) was announced by the Italian Anti-Doping Agency on Friday. The A sample, the result of which had become public on 11 September, had already shown a testosterone level that was too high. This had resulted in a provisional ban.
Pogba’s club, the Italian record champions Juventus Turin, had frozen the Frenchman’s salary for the time being. “The club is considering the next steps,” it said at the time. Depending on the course of the proceedings, the midfielder now faces a ban of up to four years – he would then be 34 years old. “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” his adviser Rafaela Pimenta had said in a letter, according to the AFP news agency.
Should Pogba, who was initially provisionally suspended by Italy’s anti-doping authority NADO on Friday, be banned as expected, the most likely scenario is an early termination of his contract, which is still valid until 2026. This would save Juventus many millions.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri was surprised by the result at his press conference on Friday, saying only: “Humanly, I’m sorry.” The positive doping test is the low point in Pogba’s career for the time being, who just a few years ago was considered one of the best midfielders in the world and had become a World Cup winner in 2018, but recently hardly made any sporting headlines due to injury.
Coman and Deschamps had publicly boosted Pogba
According to Italian media reports, the test in Juventus’ first Serie A game at Udinese Calcio (3-0) had struck. Pogba had just not been used there at all, in the following two games he was at least substituted.
National teammate Kingsley Coman of FC Bayern Munich and national coach Didier Deschamps had publicly strengthened the ex-World Cup winner after the A-sample. “We all support Paul, he’s a very close friend, he’s part of the family,” Coman had said after France’s 1-2 loss to Germany in Dortmund, according to L’Equipe: “We all know Paul. When something like this happens, we can’t believe for a moment that it was intentional.”
“I was surprised, of course, like the whole group,” Deschamps also said. “I had a brief exchange with him. I can’t say why and why a substance was detected in his body. But I will support him. He has the strength and the character to get through these very difficult moments. “
