Paul Pogba, the World Cup-winning midfielder and one of the most famous footballers in the world, is facing a potential four-year ban from the sport after testing positive for doping.
The shocking news broke out on Monday, September 11, 2023, when Italian media reported that Pogba had failed a doping test after Juventus’ first game of the new season against Udinese on August 20.
But what did Paul Pogba test positive for doping? And what are the implications of this scandal for his career and reputation?
In this article, we will try to answer these questions and more, based on the available information and sources.
What did Paul Pogba test positive for doping?
According to Corriere Della Serra, one of the leading newspapers in Italy, Pogba tested positive for testosterone, a hormone that can enhance muscle mass, strength, and endurance.
🚨🇫🇷 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Paul Pogba tested positive for doping — traces of testosterone found from the Udinese-Juventus game on August 20, reports @Corriere.
Official announcements from the club and the player are now awaited, adds @DiMarzio. pic.twitter.com/PYvZPcvSfR
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 11, 2023
Testosterone is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, but it can also be artificially administered through injections, patches, gels, or pills.
Testosterone is considered a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which sets the rules and standards for anti-doping in sports.
WADA classifies testosterone as an anabolic agent, which means that it can increase protein synthesis and tissue growth.
WADA also has a list of threshold values for testosterone levels in urine samples, which vary depending on the sex and age of the athlete.
If an athlete’s testosterone level exceeds the threshold value, or if there is an abnormal ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone (another hormone), then it is considered a positive test.
Pogba’s urine sample was collected after Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20, in which he was an unused substitute.
The sample was analyzed by the Italian National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), which confirmed the presence of testosterone above the permissible limit.
Pogba was notified of the result on September 11 and was provisionally suspended as a precaution.
He has three days to request a counter-analysis, or a B sample test, to verify or challenge the result.
If the B sample also confirms the positive test, then Pogba will face a hearing with the national anti-doping tribunal in Italy, unless he admits to taking the banned substance.
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Why did Paul Pogba take testosterone?
This is the million-dollar question that everyone is asking.
Why would Paul Pogba, a world-class player who has won everything in his career, risk his reputation and future by taking a banned substance?
There are several possible explanations, but none of them are confirmed or verified.
Accidental use
One possibility is that Pogba took testosterone unknowingly or accidentally.
This could happen if he consumed a contaminated food or supplement, or if he received a medical treatment that contained testosterone without his knowledge or consent.
This has happened before with other athletes who have tested positive for doping.
For example, in 2019, former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was banned for six months after testing positive for a weight-loss drug that contained a banned diuretic.
Toure claimed that he took his wife’s diet pills without knowing what they contained.
Deliberate use
Another possibility is that Pogba took testosterone deliberately or intentionally.
This could happen if he wanted to gain an edge over his opponents, or if he felt pressured by his club or coach to perform better.
This has also happened before with other athletes who have admitted to doping.
For example, in 2013, former Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids was banned for four months after testing positive for nandrolone, another anabolic steroid.
Davids confessed that he took nandrolone to recover faster from an injury.
Theraputic use
A third possibility is that Pogba took testosterone as part of a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).
A TUE is a special permission granted by WADA or NADO to an athlete who has a legitimate medical condition that requires the use of a prohibited substance or method.
It must be approved by a panel of experts before the athlete can use the substance or method without violating the anti-doping rules.
A TUE must also be reported and documented by the athlete and his or her doctor.
However, there is no evidence that Pogba had a TUE for testosterone at the time of his test.
Moreover, according to WADA’s guidelines, testosterone is rarely granted as a TUE because it can have significant performance-enhancing effects and can be abused by athletes.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Pogba had a valid medical reason to take testosterone.
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How will Paul Pogba be punished for the doping test scandal?
The repercussions of Paul Pogba’s doping test scandal loom ominously, posing a grave threat to both his career and his club.
If found guilty, Pogba could be banned from football for up to four years, depriving him of critical seasons with Juventus, a shot at the 2024 World Cup with France, and potentially ending his career at just 30.
In addition, he risks losing lucrative contracts and endorsements, with possible legal ramifications from both his club and sponsors.
Furthermore, the scandal threatens to tarnish Pogba’s legacy as one of his generation’s greatest players, eroding the respect and admiration of fans, teammates, and peers, while branding him as a cheat and fraud.
The media, public, and anti-doping authorities may question his integrity and honesty, subjecting him to harsh criticism.
The fallout also extends to Juventus, which may lose a key player and struggle for titles. The club could face UEFA or FIFA sanctions, including fines, points deductions, or disqualifications from competitions, potentially resulting in financial losses.”
This revised version maintains the essential information while making it more concise and impactful.
Conclusion
Paul Pogba’s doping test scandal is one of the biggest shocks in football history.
The French midfielder tested positive for testosterone after Juventus’ first game of the season against Udinese on August 20.
He is now facing a possible four-year ban from the sport, as well as legal, financial, and reputational consequences.
The reason behind his doping is still unknown, but it could be due to contamination, intention, or exemption.
The outcome of his case will depend on the result of his B sample test and the hearing with the national anti-doping tribunal in Italy.
Until then, Pogba’s future and career are in limbo.
