Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba could be facing a lengthy ban from football after his B sample displayed evidence of elevated levels of testosterone.
The former Manchester United star initially tested positive following the Serie A game with Udinese on August 20 – in which he was an unused substitute – and was provisionally suspended.
His B sample has also returned a positive test and his case will now be heard by the Italian National Anti-doping office who will ask for Pogba’s observations.
When news of his A sample broke, the player’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said: “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”
If he is found guilty of doping, the France World Cup winner could face a suspension of between two to four years.
The news compounds a miserable spell for Pogba, who joined United in 2009 as a teenager before leaving for Juventus in 2012. He rejoined United in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89million only to run down his contract and move back to Turin at the end of the 2021/22 season.
His second spell at Juve has not gone as planned due to injury.
The 30-year-old managed just 162 minutes of playing time in all competitions last season and has made two substitute appearances this term.
