Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba fails Serie A doping test

Paul Pogba has tested positive in a standard doping test following Juventus' recent Serie A match against Udinese.

According to ANSA, the Juventus midfielder was subjected to the test following the opening day game, which ended 3-0 for the Turin side.

The French player did not play a single minute of the match, but was still required to take the test and it is reported there were elevated levels of testosterone.

The 30-year-old, who has played just 52 minutes for La Vecchia Signora in Serie A so far this campaign, was looking to bounce back after suffering through an injury-plagued season last time out.

Pogba returned to Juventus, where he played from 2012 to 2016, from Manchester United last summer, but ended up playing just six league games for Juve, and just one of them as a starter.

Now, if the reports are confirmed, SportMediaset state the player will be suspended as a precautionary measure and will have three days to request a second look at the test.

If the positive result is confirmed, he will be judged by the Italian national anti-doping court.

The ban for doping could be up to two years, though it can also be extended to four years if it is proven that the athlete had the intent to dope.