French national soccer player Paul Pogba, who was temporarily banned for doping, was also found to have high testosterone levels during follow-up testing. Meanwhile, his club Juventus Turin is apparently examining legal options for a separation from Pogba.
Several Italian media outlets reported unanimously on Friday that the B sample requested by the 30-year-old was also positive. The midfielder has been temporarily suspended since his positive A sample became known on September 11th.
The sample was taken after the Serie A match between Juve and Udinese Calcio on August 20th. Pogba did not play in the game, but was on the bench for the Italian record champions. He now faces a four-year ban. This could be reduced by half if he can prove there was no intent in his misstep.
The Frenchman remains banned and the investigation by the Italian anti-doping prosecutor’s office can now be initiated, the newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” reported. Accordingly, Pogba’s interrogation is eagerly awaited, in which he could try to prove the lack of intent.
Termination of contract if the ban is more than six months
Italian media reports that Juventus now wants to get rid of Pogba. Until the ban, the midfielder was the highest-paid professional in the squad with a net salary of eight million euros. After the positive doping test, the salary was reduced to the minimum wage of 42,477 euros per year – that’s what the rules stipulate. If a ban of more than six months is imposed on Pogba, Juventus could terminate the contract, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. In the event of a ban lasting more than a year, the club could not only save on the payments due for the coming years, but also demand high compensation from the player.
No consultation with Juventus doctors
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba was under the supervision of a US specialist who prescribed him a supplement containing testosterone. Pogba took the drug without consulting the Juventus doctors beforehand.
Pogba has had a difficult year in Turin. Due to knee surgery and other injuries, the 2018 world champion only made ten appearances in the preseason. Pogba also missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to his injury woes.
The 81-time French international has been playing for the Serie A club again since 2022, for whom he played from 2012 to 2016. Pogba then spent six years under contract with English record champions Manchester United. For Pogba, who has been injured again and again recently, the ban is the next setback.
