Paul Pogba

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after a doping control detected elevated levels of testosterone, Italian anti-doping authorities (Nado) told the media on Monday.

After a nightmare season between injuries and a blackmail affair, the 30-year-old's dreams of bouncing back were shattered by the alleged doping offence after Juventus's 3-0 win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

On Monday, the 2018 world champion had told Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera of his "desire to play" after a "difficult year" which could have "destroyed" him.

Instead he received a new blow.

Nado said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance "non-endogenous testosterone metabolites".

Juventus said in a statement that Pogba had "received a precautionary suspension".

"The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps," the statement added.

The test concerns the 'A' sample, and if the 'B' sample also tests positive for testosterone Pogba could face a four-year ban.

In a message sent to the media, Pogba's agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was "awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results".

"What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule," she added.

Agence France-Presse