Paul Pogba: Juventus midfielder 'never wanted to break rules' after provisional suspension for anti-doping offence

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Pogba has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence; if found guilty of doping, a suspension of up to four years could be handed out to Pogba; Frenchman rejoined Juve from United last summer and has made eight Serie A appearances so far

Tuesday 12 September 2023 22:08, UK

Paul Pogba's representative has told Sky Sports News that he «never wanted to break the rules» after the Juventus midfielder was provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence.

Pogba has been suspended by Italy's national anti-doping tribunal after returning an adverse sample.

The France international tested positive for testosterone — a hormone that increases athletes' endurance — in a random drugs test following Juventus' Serie A game against Udinese on August 20, when he was an unused substitute.

A statement issued to Sky Sports News from 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."

After the Italian anti-doping body issued a statement on Monday evening confirming Pogba's suspension, Juventus said the club would now consider «the next procedural steps».

Pending a trial and testing of a backup «B» sample, he risks a suspension of up to four years.

The news is another negative note for a player who has been beset by injuries ever since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United a little more than a year ago.

He was ruled out of France's run to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury and played in only six Serie A matches for Juventus last season.

Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in