Positive testosterone test for Pogba renews doping discussion
Juventus Turin and France national team star Paul Pogba has again returned a positive result in testosterone testing, according to reports from football journalist Fabrizio Romano on X. The news adds to a troubling chapter in Pogba’s career and raises questions about the integrity of sport at the highest levels.
On September 11, it was disclosed that Pogba, now 30, had a testosterone-positive result from a test conducted on August 20. The finding threatened a possible ban of up to four years under anti-doping rules. Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal issued a temporary suspension for the midfielder as investigators examined the case.
Pogba requested a counter-review of the testing process. Later information indicated that the subsequent test, performed at the Acqua Acetosa laboratory on October 6, again yielded a positive testosterone result. The repeating result intensified scrutiny of the case and the processes behind the testing timeline.
Throughout his career, Pogba has achieved significant success with both his clubs and the national team. As a member of the France squad, he helped secure the 2018 World Cup title and earned a silver medal at the 2016 European Championship. His club career included a stint with Manchester United, during which he won several domestic trophies and the Europa League title in 2017. Pogba has also enjoyed success in Italy, contributing to multiple Serie A championships and Coppa Italia triumphs with his teams.
This season Pogba has appeared in two matches in the Italian league, demonstrating the ongoing level of competition he faces within top flight football. The doping case has sparked broader conversations about the effectiveness of testing regimes, the timing of results, and the transparency of disciplinary proceedings in professional sports.
Notes and context accompany these developments, including the fact that doping controls operate under strict timelines and are subject to late-stage reviews and disputes. The case highlights the complex interplay between athlete performance, medical explanations, and the rules designed to ensure fair play on the international stage. The public discourse continues to weigh the credibility of laboratory results against the assurances athletes seek in counter-evaluations and appeals. Attribution for this report goes to Fabrizio Romano via X, who provides ongoing updates on this evolving story.