Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba was found to have tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone ©Getty Images

French FIFA World Cup winner Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended from playing football by the Italian Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italia) for failing a drugs test.

The Juventus midfielder was alleged to have tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a sample taken after his side’s 3-0 victory over Udinese on the opening match of the Serie A season on August 20 where he was an unused substitute.

NADO Italia has announced that provisional suspension of Pogba pending the results of a examination of a B sample.

If found guilty of doping, Pogba could be banned for between two and four years.

NADO Italia revealed Pogba had breached anti-doping rules when it had found banned sustenance of "non-endogenous testosterone metabolites" and added that the results were "consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds".

A statement has also been issued by Juventus announcing it had received a "precautionary suspension order" and saying it "reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps".

Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has defended the 30-year-old.

"We are waiting for the results of the counter-analysis and cannot say anything until then," said Pimenta.

"The only certain thing is that Paul Pogba never intended to break the rules."

Rafaela Pimenta, the agent of Paul Pogba, claimed that he
Rafaela Pimenta, the agent of Paul Pogba, claimed that he "never intended to break the rules" ©Getty Images

The announcement of the test result came just a day after the release of an interview with Al Jazeera where Pogba admitted that he considered retiring over allegations that he was targeted by an extortion plot.

An investigation was launched last year after Pogba claimed that his brother Mathias was part of a "group-organised extortion attempt" against him.

"Money changes people...it can break up a family," said Pogba.

"It can create a war.

"Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: 'I don't want to have money anymore.

"I just don't want to play anymore.

"I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me - not for the fame, not for the money.'

"Sometimes it's tough."

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for France and played a key role in helping them win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

He spent six seasons at English Premier League outfit Manchester United before returning to Juventus for a second spell last year.

But Pogba’s time at Juventus has been blighted by injury having made just one start in the 2022-2023 campaign.