After receiving a positive result from his backup B sample on Friday, Paul Pogba could face a four-year suspension from football. Juventus will now decide what will happen to him.
Paul Pogba, a former midfielder for Manchester United, might receive a four-year suspension from football after a B sample underwent counter-analysis and came out positive.
Since his playing privileges were suspended when it was determined that he had failed a drug test, the France international has not appeared for Juventus. Pogba was chosen for a random test after the Old Lady’s 3-0 victory over Udinese on August 20 after being an ineffective substitute.
Since then, Pogba has been placed on suspension by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal, and a counter-analysis sample that was verified afterward also tested positive. Pogba’s case will now be decided by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal; if found guilty, he could receive a two- to four-year suspension.
Rafaela Pimenta, Pogba’s agent, said in a statement after the initial negative sample came back positive: “We are waiting for the counter-analysis and until then we can’t say anything. Paul Pogba never wanted to breach the law, that much is evident.
Given that Pogba still has almost three years left on his present contract, Juventus will determine how to handle the situation. After leaving United last summer, Pogba rejoined Juventus; nevertheless, his first campaign back at the Allianz Stadium was not successful.
Pogba underwent surgery for a knee problem, which caused him to miss about five months of play. He was back on the bench for the home encounter against Monza in January when he had a new ailment, this one affecting his groin and keeping him out for three Serie A games.