Paul Pogba ‘fails drug test after traces of testosterone found following Juventus’ opening game of season’
FORMER Manchester United star Paul Pogba has reportedly failed a drugs test.
Corriere Della Serra claims traces of testosterone were discovered in Pogba’s system following Juventus’ first game of the new season.
Neither Pogba or Juventus are yet to comment.
The ex-Man United midfielder, 30, was an unused sub in his side’s 3-0 win against Udinese last month.
Testosterone is a hormone which can increase muscle strength and is found in various over-the-counter products at pharmacies.
It’s said Pogba now has three days to provide a sample for a counter-analysis.
If found guilty of doping, several Italian news outlets all claim Pogba faces a ban of up to two years.
And if a tribunal finds him guilty of taking the product intentionally, the ban could last up to four years.
Pogba rejoined former side Juventus in a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his Man United contract.
But injuries limited him to just ten appearances in all competitions.
He’s featured twice from the bench this term since sitting out the Udinese win.
Pogba’s last appearance came earlier this month in Juventus’ 2-0 win at Empoli.
However, boss Max Allegri claimed afterwards that the French World Cup winner had suffered a fresh back injury.
He said: “Pogba felt a pain in the back, we’ll see what the exams say. Too bad because it [Pogba’s performance] went well.”
Pogba started his Premier League career at Man United in 2012 but made just three appearances before joining Juventus for free that same year.
He instantly became a smash hit in Turin, winning four Serie A titles in as many years.
UNITED’S FRENCH FANCY
Pogba was then re-signed by United for a then-club record fee of £86million in 2016.
But he failed to live up to expectations under managers like Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, winning just a Europa League and Carabao Cup.
And after 226 games, Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 on another freebie.
He has since played just 12 times during his second spell with the Italians, suffering various injuries to his knee, groin, thigh and hamstring.
The biggest success of Pogba’s career came with France’s national side.
He played a key role in their 2018 World Cup triumph, forging a fine midfield partnership with ex-Chelsea star N’Golo Kante.
However, the last of Pogba’s 91 caps came in March last year.
And he failed to make Didier Deschamps’ squad for France’s unsuccessful World Cup defence in Qatar.