France coach Didier Deschamps refuses to promise a return to the national side for Paul Pogba… after Juventus midfielder’s ‘B sample confirmed positive drugs test’

• Juventus star Paul Pogba returned a positive drugs test earlier this season 
• Reports in Italy claim Frenchman’s B-sample has now produced the same result 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

France coach Didier Deschamps has made no promises regarding Paul Pogba’s future in the national team after the midfielder reportedly produced a second positive drugs test following analysis of his B sample. 

On August 20th, the Juventus midfielder returned a positive result after Juventus’ first game of the season against Udinese, a game in which he did not play.

He was subsequently suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal on an initial precautionary basis and given three days to request his B sample, which then produced the same result – according to Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The maximum suspension in such cases is four years – an initial two-year ban, which can be doubled if it is proven that the substance was taken deliberately.

And thus, in light of the news, national team boss Deschamps has suggested that ‘it will take time’ for Pogba to return to the Les Bleus squad.

Juventus’ Paul Pogba recently returned a positive drugs test following analysis of his B sample

France national team boss Didier Deschamps has refused to promise his return to the squad

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Speaking at a press conference, according to CalcioMercato, Deschamps said: ‘Allegri is particularly sad for Paul, as am I too, a lot of things have fallen on his head lately. 

‘He finds himself in a complicated situation. He will defend himself. He will have to defend himself, this does part of a long procedure.

‘It all started with the doping test. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for him, but what’s happening to him is sad for him.’

‘I’ll not have a categorical or radical position. I don’t know what his future will be like, it will take time. Even if he hasn’t been with us for a while.

‘I hope for him that he finds his smile again, the full possession of his means, that he will find the pitch again, but it will take time.’

The 30-year-old has made 91 appearances for France’s first-team, scoring 11 goals during that time and he was part of the 2018 World Cup winning squad.  

Mail Sport reported last month that Pogba had called for counter analysis following his positive test, with a prosecution process to start in the event of a second failed test – possibly resulting in dismissal, plea bargaining or a trial before tribunal, according to Sky. 

Pogba has played a vital role in France’s success over the course of the last decade

Pogba’s representative Rafael Pimenta said at the time: ‘We are waiting for the counter analysis and until then we can’t say anything.

‘The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules.’

Mail Sport understands that Pogba did not tell anyone at Juventus that he had taken a banned substance, and that the player is set to test every substance that he has used to find out how DHEA got into his body as he fights to clear his name. 

The player’s future at the Italian club is yet unclear, with the Turin-based outfit thought to be prepared to suspend his wages should proceedings against him begin following the positive result. 

Should Pogba receive a ban, his contract with the Serie A giants could be terminated

Should Pogba receive a ban, his contract with the Serie A giants could be terminated. 

A previous statement from Juventus confirmed the initial positive test.

The statement read: ‘Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023.

‘The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.’

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