Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after a doping test revealed the presence of the prohibited drug testosterone, according to Italian anti-doping authorities (NADO).
“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,” NADO said in a statement.
NADO said the “prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, was consistent with a doping infringement.
The Italian press reported that the doping test was carried out on the opening day of the Italian Serie A season, a 3-0 win at Udinese on August 20, during which the 30-year-old was an unused substitute.
The test is for the ‘A’ sample, and if the ‘B’ sample also tests positive for testosterone, Pogba could be banned for four years.
NADO issued a statement on Monday to explain earlier-in-the-day reports in the Italian press about Pogba, who was hoped to play for Juventus against Lazio this weekend.
Pogba was a key figure in France’s World Cup victory in 2018, but his 2022-2023 season was marred by injury and a blackmail scandal.
He only appeared in 10 games for Juventus that season and was unable to compete for France in the 2022 World Cup.