The Juventus midfielder is said to have been found to have elevated levels of the hormone in random checks carried out after the Italian club’s opening Serie A clash with Udinese, which took place on August 20, according to news agency ANSA.
Juventus said in a statement: “Juventus announces that the player, Paul Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal (NADO) following the adverse outcome of the analysis carried out on 20 August 2023. The club reserves the right to evaluate.”
Nado said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites” and the results were “Consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds”.
Pogba, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, remained on the bench throughout the match but has appeared as a substitute in subsequent clashes against Bologna and Empoli.
Pogba has been laden with injury for much of his Juventus return. He played just 10 times last season amid four separate significant setbacks involving the knee, groin and hamstring. He missed the 2022 World Cup as a result.
He left United in 2022 following a record £89m move from Juventus in 2016. He made 233 appearances and netted 39 goals and recorded 51 assists in that time, winning the Europa League and League Cup.
Meanwhile, Pogba has said that he considered retiring from professional football due to an alleged organised armed extortion attempt against him which involved his brother.
