Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended, after testing positive for a banned substance.
Performed after Juve's 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on August 20, the test 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," said NADO Italia.
The tribunal says Pogba violated anti-doping rules, when they found the prohibited substance "non-endogenous testosterone metabolites", adding that the results were "consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds".
Pogba, 30, was an unused substitute in the win at Udinese. Juventus say they have been informed of the provisional suspension and are evaluating the next steps.
If found guilty of doping, Pogba could be suspended for between 2-4 years. His contract with Juve expires in June 2026.
Pogba has had a torrid second spell with Juve, due to injuries, since returning to the Turin-based club from Manchester United on a free transfer last year.
The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season, due to knee and hamstring injuries, as well as 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.
Apart from injury troubles, Pogba said last year he was the target of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang, with brother Mathias placed under formal investigation.
Paul told the Paris prosecution office he had been the target of extortion by childhood friends since March 2022 and had paid 100,000 euros (NZ$182,000) to that group in the spring.
Mathias, 33, was taken into custody last September and released in December. He has also played professionally and denied the allegations against him.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Pogba says he considered retiring from the sport, after being worn down by the alleged extortion attempts and threats.
"Sometimes, I was just by myself thinking, 'I don't want to have money anymore. I just don't want to play anymore'," he said.
"I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me - not for the fame, not for the money."
Reuters
