ROME: Juventus’ French midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal said on Monday.

The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 victory at Udinese in Serie A on Aug 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

“In acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Anti-doping Prose­cutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” NADO Italia said.

The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, adding the results were “consistent with the exo­genous origin of the target compounds”.

The 30-year-old was an unused substitute in the win at Udinese.

Pogba has had a torrid second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United last year. The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as a knee surgery which prevented him playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar.

Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.

Juventus did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2023