Italian prosecutors request a 4-year suspension for Paul Pogba in doping case

Italian prosecutors request a 4-year suspension for Paul Pogba in doping case

Italian prosecutors request a 4-year suspension for Paul Pogba in doping case

Italian anti-doping prosecutors have requested this Thursday the maximum suspension of four years for the French footballer Paul Pogba of Juventus, after he tested positive for testosterone in September. 

'I can confirm that we received this notification from the anti-doping authority this morning, with four years [of suspension] demanded,' said a source from the Turin club quoted by the France-Presse agency.

The positive test for testosterone, a substance that is an anabolic steroid and helps to accelerate muscle development, came after a routine check by the Italian league during the match between Juventus and Udinese on August 20, in which he did not play any minutes on the field.

To explain this positive test, the player's representation announced in September that the testosterone metabolites came from a dietary supplement prescribed by a doctor the player consulted in the United States.

Pogba, 30, has chosen not to make a plea bargain and will be tried, thus risking a maximum penalty of four years. This can be reduced if the player proves that it was not intentional, if the positive test results from contamination, or if he provides 'substantial assistance' to help investigators, according to the World Anti-Doping Code.

The French international, who played 178 matches in his first stint at Juventus from 2012 to 2016, only played six games in the previous season of the Italian league and two in the current edition, in a second stint marked by various injuries and now by the suspension imposed by the body governing Italian football.

  • Top Countries
  • Around the web
PSG takes the next step towards the league title after winning the top clash

PSG takes the next step towards the league title after winning the top clash

Paris Saint-Germain has taken another step towards the league title. The Ligue 1 leaders won the top clash against Olympique Marseille, extending their lead to 19 points with the victory.

Mbappé on a record hunt: Real Madrid overcomes early scare against Villarreal

Mbappé on a record hunt: Real Madrid overcomes early scare against Villarreal

Real Madrid secured a narrow league victory on Saturday night away at Villarreal. The home side took an early lead, but a fired-up Kylian Mbappé set things straight before halftime, strengthening his record hunt at Real Madrid.

Premier League icons from Liverpool win awards again

Premier League icons from Liverpool win awards again

Mohamed Salah and David Moyes have won awards. The Liverpool star has been named Premier League Player of the Month for March, while the Everton manager has been awarded Manager of the Month.

Nice draws with Auxerre and misses the chance to close the gap on second-placed Marseille

Nice draws with Auxerre and misses the chance to close the gap on second-placed Marseille

Nice missed the chance to catch up with second-placed Marseille after a 1-1 home draw against Auxerre. Evann Guessand put Nice ahead in the first half, but despite controlling the game, they failed to extend their lead.

Inter strikes a blow to Atalanta and crowns a superb week with a victory in the top clash

Inter strikes a blow to Atalanta and crowns a superb week with a victory in the top clash

Internazionale has taken another step towards the Scudetto. The defending champions overcame a close competitor in their visit to Atalanta. Denzel Dumfries went off with an injury.

In top form for Oranje: Reijnders takes center stage at AC Milan

In top form for Oranje: Reijnders takes center stage at AC Milan

Tijjani Reijnders led AC Milan past Como on Saturday night. The Oranje international prevented a painful home defeat against the regional rival with a goal and an assist and joins the Dutch national team in top form.

Van Nistelrooij s Leicester proves to be the ideal remedy for Man Utd

Van Nistelrooij's Leicester proves to be the ideal remedy for Man Utd

If a striker hasn't scored in the Premier League for a while, they should hope for a matchup with Leicester City. At Manchester United, both Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended their goal droughts against the team managed by Ruud van Nistelrooij, who is increasingly fearing relegation.

Juric already accepts it:  Southampton will be relegated

Juric already accepts it: 'Southampton will be relegated'

Relegation seems inevitable for Southampton. After the 1-2 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, manager Ivan Juric spoke clearly to the BBC: "We will be relegated, but we want to go down with more fight, more dignity, and more of everything."

Sometimes it feels like there is a lack of respect for those who work

Sometimes it feels like there is a lack of respect for those who work

Sérgio Conceição says that the lack of time is the enemy of perfection and that only now will he be able to train properly. He made his debut for AC Milan on January 3 and played his last match on the 8th of this month, totaling 18 games in 65 days. He had been playing with less than four days between matches, which, he suggests, had an impact.

Chelsea strikes again at Sporting and signs a competitor for Caicedo

Chelsea strikes again at Sporting and signs a competitor for Caicedo

Dario Essugo will make the move to Chelsea this summer. This has been reported by various media outlets in Portugal and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The 20-year-old midfielder will reportedly join from Sporting Portugal for a fee of over 20 million euros.

Odd:1.38