Juventus, doping: what is the banned Paul Pogba doing while awaiting his trial?

177 days ago, Paul Pogba made the news despite himself. A few days after Juventus’ victory against Udinese (3-0, August 20), in which he did not even actively participate (he remained on the bench the entire match), the 2018 world champion was declared positive for the doping substance DHEA, banned due to its ability to increase the level of testosterone in the body. In a formal manner, the Frenchman has since been provisionally suspended, and inevitably, has therefore never again been part of Max Allegri’s group. If his trial had initially been set for January 18, the National Anti-Doping Tribunal ultimately postponed it sine die, specifying only that it would take place beyond February 15.

Meanwhile, in the laboratories of the Acqua Acetosa Olympic center in Rome, the second opinion requested by the player had confirmed the presence of testosterone metabolites in his body, thus confirming the doping theory. Today, Paul Pogba’s lawyers are striving to demonstrate that this use was not intentional. The player advances discreetly. Since September and his positive test which was echoed by the Italian press, the native of Lagny-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne) has never posted the slightest publication on his social networks. A few furtive appearances, in the form of stories, and then that’s it.

The final decision should be communicated quickly

Five months have passed, then. Five long months, during which Pogba first took the opportunity to recharge his batteries with his wife Maria Zulay and his children, in his mansion formerly occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and located in the heights of Turin. But most of his time today is spent with a personal staff in order to keep his figure. As reported Gazzetta dello Sport, the “Pioche” multiplies the sports sessions, whether in the form of fitness sessions or swimming in its indoor swimming pool. Football continues, but on another scale: with his son in the garden, which changes slightly. The salary, too, has changed somewhat. In accordance with the collective agreement for Italian professional players, Pogba now receives the minimum salary: €2,000 per month, and no longer the 10 million euros per year of his Turin contract.

Paul Pogba has made public appearances since then, but only occasionally. Last week, the 30-year-old was, for example, photographed at San Siro alongside Lilian Thuram to attend the match between Inter Milan and Juventus. He also goes back and forth between Île de France, his native land, and Turin, specifies the GDS. Although he is currently banned from accessing his club’s facilities, Pogba nevertheless remains in contact with many of his teammates, such as Adrien Rabiot and Timothy Weah, who live near his place of residence. . Last week, Pogba also met the famous father of the last city, passing through Milan furtively. He was also seen with several ex-teammates such as Miralem Pjanic in Dubai and Patrice Evra at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia in November. Didier Deschamps, with whom he has always maintained a close relationship, also keeps in contact with him, as specified by the Italian press. But there is no indication that we will ever see La Pioche en Bleus again, especially at a time when a 4-year suspension, demanded by the Italian prosecutor’s office, is still hanging over his head.