ethernetacademy.netFrance coach Didier Deschamps has thrown his support behind Paul Pogba, who is facing a suspension of up to four years after testing positive for the banned substance testosterone in his latest doping test.
“I was very surprised to hear the news about Pogba,” Deschamps said after the friendly against Germany on Wednesday, adding, “We have to wait and see what happens. There are too many circumstances surrounding him,” Deschamps said, adding that he wanted to wait and see.
“I have exchanged messages with Pogba. I’m sure we’ll have time to talk more in the future,” he said, adding, “I can’t imagine that the Pogba I know would knowingly take performance-enhancing drugs.” As someone who has watched Pogba over the years, he defended the player as someone who would never take a banned substance.
“The test results are real. We need time to find out how he did it and why he did it. It’s really unfortunate. I support Pogba, as I always have,” he said, adding that as soon as the test results are available, the exact facts should be revealed.
“We announce today that midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a provisional suspension by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal following an adverse result in a doping test conducted on August 20, 2023,” Pogba’s club, Juventus, said on its official website, adding, “We reserve the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”
European football journalist Fabrizio Romano also wrote on social media, “Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been handed a provisional suspension for an anti-doping violation. The decision was officially confirmed in a statement from the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal,” adding that Pogba has tested positive for a banned substance and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.
Testosterone is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is classified as an anabolic steroid. It is known for its ability to dramatically improve muscle development, body shape, and body sensations, making it a top banned substance for professional athletes.
While over-the-counter products don’t contain steroid hormones like testosterone, they can be found in medications that require a doctor’s prescription to treat serious illnesses. Also, in Italy, testosterone is only available in prescription drugs, which means it can only be obtained illegally online. The question is how Pogba obtained the testosterone, and whether it was intentional or accidental.
“Pogba will have to prove that the consumption of exogenous testosterone (added to the testosterone naturally present in the male body) was not voluntary,” said France’s RMC Sport, adding that Pogba needs to provide a full explanation and a proper response to the doping test results.
The revelation that a world-class player had taken an illegal substance sent shockwaves through the soccer world. Pogba is a Manchester United youth product and made his professional debut for the club. During his rookie season, the Red Devils had Park Ji-Sung playing for them, so he became known to Korean fans early on.
He was praised for his dazzling individual skills, ruler-accurate passing, and ability to break away from opponents, but he struggled to get a chance among the senior players in his first season. He made just seven appearances for the club, including three in the Premier League, one in the UEFA Europa League, and three in the League Cup. He eventually parted ways with the Red Devils after just one season to join Italian giants Juventus.
During this time, he also played for the French national team and was expected to be a ray of sunshine for France, who were without a playmaker after the retirement of Zinedine Zidane.
However, it was all downhill for Pogba after he moved to his hometown club United in 2016. Frequent injuries, up-and-down performances, and a falling out with manager Jose Mourinho kept him out of favor. A free agent when he left for Juventus, Pogba was valued at £89 million upon his return to United. That’s no small amount of money, and it was expected that Pogba would live up to his transfer fee, but for the reasons mentioned above, he hasn’t.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was the centerpiece of France’s midfield and helped them win their first World Cup in 20 years, was the last shining moment of Pogba’s career. After returning from the World Cup, Pogba was plagued by injuries throughout the 2019/20 season. After making just 22 appearances, Pogba struggled to regain his trust and fell out of contention for a starting spot, leading to a falling out with United last summer. He rejected United’s two renewal offers and returned to Juventus, the club that made him one of the best players in the world.
But there was no rebound. Shortly after joining Juventus, he tore his knee meniscus and spent most of the season in the hospital. He was also ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar. He returned near the end of the season and played 10 games, but only 161 minutes, mostly as a late substitute.
He started this season as a bench player, not a starter. He came off the bench in the opening game against Udinese, then came on as a late substitute in the second round against Bologna and the third round against Empoli. However, the world of soccer was turned upside down when it was revealed that he had tested positive for the banned substance testosterone in a doping test conducted shortly after the Udinese game.
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that “Pogba tested positive for testosterone in a doping test,” followed by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Italian news agency ANSA, and the controversy spread, eventually leading to the biggest crisis of his career when he was provisionally suspended by the Anti-Doping Court.
The French soccer world was rocked. “Pogba remained on the bench,” says Leciffe, “and already the first reports from the Corriere della Sera, then La Gazzetta dello Sport and ANSA started a chain reaction of Pogba’s positive doping test. Only an official announcement from his club Juventus remains.”
“Pogba has been suspended by the Italian Anti-Doping Tribunal after testing positive for testosterone,” RMC Sport reported, adding, “Pogba has three days to submit evidence in his defense. If he is found to have a doping substance in a second test, he risks strong sanctions. The 30-year-old midfielder could be banned for up to four years,” he said, adding that Pogba’s punishment could be as long as four years.
The Italian anti-doping tribunal told AFP: “We have suspended Pogba based on the doping control recommendation. Sanctions have been imposed for violations of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 on testosterone.” Pogba’s agent Raffaele Pimenta was also quoted as saying, “Pogba never intended to take a banned substance. This is certain.”아톰카지노
At 30 years old, Pogba will be 34 when he returns from his four-year suspension and will be close to retirement age. A four-year suspension would be a de facto retirement. In this situation, Deschamps has come to Pogba’s defense, offering him moral support during what must be a difficult time.