|
Listen now
|
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is facing the risk of a four-year football ban after counter-analysis on a B sample tested positive.
The France international has not featured for Juventus since he was suspended from playing after it was confirmed he had failed a drugs test. After being an unused substitute, Pogba was selected for a random test following the Old Lady’s 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20.
Pogba has been suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal since then and a counter-analysis sample has since been checked, also testing positive. The National Anti-Doping Tribunal will now determine the charge for Pogba, who could face a ban of between two and four years.
When that first adverse sample came back positive, a statement issued by Pogba’s representative Rafaela Pimenta said: “We are waiting for the counter-analysis and until then we can’t say anything. The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules.”
Juventus are set to decide upon how to deal with Pogba’s contract, as the Frenchman still has almost three years left on his current deal. Pogba re-joined Juventus following his release from United last summer, but struggled during his first season back at the Allianz Stadium.
Pogba missed around five months of action after undergoing surgery on a knee issue. He returned to the bench for the home game against Monza in January, before picking up another injury concern, this time it was his groin which kept him out for three Serie A matches.
After coming on as a second-half substitute against Torino and Roma, Pogba sustained a tear in his abductor muscle. He played a further eight times in all competitions, including the first-half of the Europa League semi-final defeat against Sevilla, where he provided his first and only assist of the season.
Pogba had missed the final four matches through a hamstring problem but returned for pre-season as he tried to improve on what was a frustrating campaign. He was an unused substitute in that opening day victory over Udinese, before coming on against Bologna and Empoli – playing a combined 50 minutes.
Speaking ahead of his side’s game against Torino, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri admitted he is “sorry” for the situation involving Pogba. “I didn’t know about the confirmation, I am sorry,” Allegri said. “We are waiting for what’s coming next, it’s useless to comment now. Humanly, I am sorry.”