Former Manchester United player Paul Pogba's representative breaks silence on doping scandal

A representative of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has confirmed that the Frenchman "never wanted to break the rules" after being provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence.

The Juventus midfielder, who left Old Trafford for a second time in June 2022, has been suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Tribunal after supplying an adverse sample. He tested positive for testosterone, which is a hormone that increases an athlete's endurance.

Pogba, who joined Juventus on a free transfer last summer after leaving United, tested positive for the hormone during a random drug test following Juventus' Serie A clash with Udinese last month. He had been an unused substitute against Andrea Sottil's side.

Issuing a statement on Monday evening, Juventus said: "Juventus Football Club announces that today, 11 September, 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 20 August, 2023.

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

Following the release of that statement, Pogba's representative - Rafaela Pimenta - has confirmed that the player and his camp are now awaiting the outcome of further tests before they can make any further comment.

"We are waiting for the counter analysis and until then we can't say anything," Pimenta told Sky Sports News. "The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules."

Pending a trial and testing of a back-up 'B' sample, Pogba is at risk of being handed a suspension of up to four years. The 30-year-old rejoined Juventus on a four-year deal last summer,