Juventus’ Pogba faces doping ban

Once considered among the top midfielders in world soccer, Paul Pogba’s career risks a premature ending after the Juventus player and France international tested positive for testosterone. Italy’s anti-doping agency announced the failed drug test on Monday. The exam was carried out after Juventus’ game at Udinese on Aug. 20. Pogba didn’t play in the Serie A match but was on Juve’s bench. Nado Italia, the anti-doping agency, said that Pogba was suspended provisionally with immediate effect. Pending a trial and testing of a backup “B” sample, he risks a suspension of up to four years. If the backup sample confirms the positive test, the 30-year-old Pogba could get a lesser ban if he cooperates with authorities. It’s another negative note for a player who has been bothered by injuries ever since rejoining Juventus from Manchester United a little more than a year ago. He was ruled out of France’s run to the World Cup final last year due to a knee injury and played in only six Serie A matches for Juventus last season.