While he was finally returning from a long injury, Paul Pogba (30) was tested for testosterone during a match against Udinese at the very start of the season, during which the former Manchester United player hadn’t even entered the field. Since then, all parties have been awaiting the results of the counter-analyses planned at the start of October to clarify the situation of the French international and they have now been delivered: Paul Pogba has indeed tested positive for testosterone, Sample B confirming the first analysis.
Paul Pogba now has seven days to present his defense and arguments in order to avoid a very heavy sanction for having violated articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Codice Sportivo Antidoping (Anti-Doping Sports Code), while Juventus already wants to impose sanctions. According to Gazzetta dello Sportthe 2018 world champion is now banned from daily activities related to his profession (training and matches) and, according to Juventus policy, he cannot come into official contact with other members of the club.
Paul Pogba’s salary will drop drastically
But the sanctions will also be financial. The Frenchman, who was the highest paid of the Bianconera team with 8 million euros net, plus 2 million in bonuses, will see his salary drop drastically to reach a salary of 42,477 euros per year, in accordance with Italian rules. But that’s not all, because Juventus will also have to wait for Paul Pogba’s official suspension duration. If it lasts six months or more, Juve would be able to terminate his contract after a court decision, or next June in order to avoid some compensation to be paid.
Finally, if he receives the maximum sanction, Juventus could even seek damages from the player, who himself admitted to having taken a supplement on the advice of an American doctor friend, without having informed the club. While Paul Pogba is still under contract until 2026, the club would save around thirty million euros for a player who has only played twelve games since his return in the summer of 2022.
