Pogba was initially listed as a substitute for Juve's opening day 3-0 win against Udinese. He subsequently made appearances off the bench in matches against Bologna and Empoli over the past few weeks. The French international was also striving to regain full fitness for Saturday's anticipated home match against Lazio. However, a random doping test conducted after Juve's triumph over Udinese on August 20 has thrown his entire career into uncertainty.
The Italian Anti-Doping tribunal released a statement indicating that Pogba had exhibited "non-endogenous" levels of testosterone during the test conducted the previous month. Elevated levels of this hormone can potentially enhance strength and endurance."
"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 (FIGC) for the violation of articles 2.1, 2.2; prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites (The GC/c/IRMS results are consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds)," NADO Italia said.
Pogba has a three-day window to conduct a counter-analysis. However, if the World Cup champion is ultimately deemed guilty of doping violations, reports suggest he may potentially face an unprecedented suspension ranging from two to four years. On Monday evening, Juventus responded to Pogba's positive test with a brief statement, indicating that the club would deliberate on the "next steps in the procedural process.
"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," Juventus said.
If Pogba were to receive the maximum penalty, the Frenchman would be sidelined from all football-related activities until his 34th birthday, adding to the woes of his already forgettable second stint with Juventus.
Following his departure from Manchester United when his contract expired, Pogba faced a significant setback as he suffered a severe knee injury during pre-season. This injury kept him out of competitive matches for Juventus until the end of February. His return was initially anticipated when he made the bench against Monza on January 29, but he then suffered a groin strain.
Subsequently, Pogba had to contend with abductor and hamstring problems, limiting him to just 10 appearances in the 2022-23 season, with only one start in Serie A.
Before his second departure from Manchester United, Pogba also found himself embroiled in a controversy involving an alleged extortion plot, which implicated his brother, Mathias Pogba. Mathias spent three months in prison before being released pending judicial review."