French footballer Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence, Italy's National Antidoping Tribunal (NADO) announced on Monday (September 11).

French footballer Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence, Italy's National Antidoping Tribunal (NADO) announced on Monday (September 11). Pogba, who is currently plying his trade for Italian Seria A club Juventus, was tested after his side's victory against Udinese on August 20 where he was an unused substitute. According to reports, the test results showed elevated levels of testosterone - a hormone that increases an athlete's endurance. "The National Antidoping Tribunal informs that, in acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Antidoping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba," NADO was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. The anti-doping agency said the test concerns the 'A' sample, and if the 'B' sample also returns positive for testosterone, the midfielder could face a four-year ban. Juventus released a statement in the aftermath, acknowledging the failed test and said they were considering the next steps. "The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps," read the statement. Watch | Gravitas: Spanish football Chief Luis Rubiales steps down × Wanted to quit football: Pogba The announcement by NADO came hours after Pogba, in an Al Jazeera interview, said he was almost driven to walk away from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang. "When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war," said Pogba. "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. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger," he added. Also read | Paul Pogba shockingly admits to using witchcraft but denies it was to cast a spell on Kylian Mbappe Notably, Pogba's brother Mathias was arrested in September last year on suspicion of involvement in the alleged extortion plot. Once regarded as the next big thing in world football, Pogba never managed to hit the highs of the 2018 World Cup or his first stint with Juventus. His tumultuous staggered stay at Manchester United was plagued with injuries, controversies and fallout with colleagues and coaches. Pogba's arrival at Juventus last year was seen as the start of a new chapter but injuries once again hindered his progress. Having sat out the entire season, the doping violation could effectively mean curtains for Pogba's career who turned 30 earlier this year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba provisionally suspended for doping

Paul Pogba's elder brother Mathias Pogbas has been detained and placed under formal investigation in an alleged extortion case against the Juventus star. Mathias&nbsp;had earlier made some shocking comments about his brother Pogba on social media and accused him of using witchcraft on his France teammate Kylian Mbappe.

A professional footballer himself, Mathias has played for clubs like Wrexham and Sparta Rotterdam in his career so far. He had promised to make explosive revelations against Pogba on social media before making some shocking allegations against the Juventus midfielder.&nbsp;

Pogba had denied Mathias' claims while alleging that his elder brother was part of the gang which tried to extort&nbsp;13 million euros out of him. The French star filed a police complaint against the blackmailers and Mathias was also named among the suspects.

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Along with Mathias, four others have also been detained by the French officials for a formal investigation in relation to the extortion case, sources confirmed to new agency Agence France-Presse. All five have been placed under formal investigation and are being interrogated.

Mathias' lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou has said his client is innocent and that they will challenge the decision.

As per AFP, sources have claimed that large sums of money have been demanded from Pogba to avoid the circulation of allegedly compromising videos. A number of his family members have been interviewed by the French police. The other four people detained are all reportedly close to Mathias.

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Pogba left his former club Manchester United earlier this summer to rejoin Italian club Juventus as a free agent. He is currently out of action due to a knee injury which has put his future at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in doubt. Pogba is expected to return to action for Juventus later this month but there has been no confirmation on when he will be making his comeback.

Paul Pogba's elder brother Mathias Pogbas has been detained and placed under formal investigation in an alleged extortion case against the Juventus star. Mathias had earlier made some shocking comments about his brother Pogba on social media and accused him of using witchcraft on his France teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Paul Pogba's elder brother Mathias Pogbas has been detained and placed under formal investigation in an alleged extortion case against the Juventus star. Mathias had earlier made some shocking comments about his brother Pogba on social media and accused him of using witchcraft on his France teammate Kylian Mbappe. A professional footballer himself, Mathias has played for clubs like Wrexham and Sparta Rotterdam in his career so far. He had promised to make explosive revelations against Pogba on social media before making some shocking allegations against the Juventus midfielder. Pogba had denied Mathias' claims while alleging that his elder brother was part of the gang which tried to extort 13 million euros out of him. The French star filed a police complaint against the blackmailers and Mathias was also named among the suspects. Also Read: 'Why are they wearing shorts?': Pakistan journalist asks women's football team coach, slammed online Along with Mathias, four others have also been detained by the French officials for a formal investigation in relation to the extortion case, sources confirmed to new agency Agence France-Presse. All five have been placed under formal investigation and are being interrogated. Mathias' lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou has said his client is innocent and that they will challenge the decision. As per AFP, sources have claimed that large sums of money have been demanded from Pogba to avoid the circulation of allegedly compromising videos. A number of his family members have been interviewed by the French police. The other four people detained are all reportedly close to Mathias. Also Read: 'Europe is full of racists'- Dani Alves makes shocking admission regarding the European football circuit Pogba left his former club Manchester United earlier this summer to rejoin Italian club Juventus as a free agent. He is currently out of action due to a knee injury which has put his future at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in doubt. Pogba is expected to return to action for Juventus later this month but there has been no confirmation on when he will be making his comeback.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's brother Mathias detained in alleged extortion case

French footballer Paul Pogba reportedly informed the police that his brother Matheus Pogba is part of a multi-million euro blackmail attempt. The Juventus star had claimed that an organised gang targeted him for extortion and also threatened him.&nbsp;

In the latest development, a source close to the case told the news agency AFP on Sunday (August 28) that the French police have opened an investigation into claims by Pogba.&nbsp;

Pogba's brother Mathias posted an unsettling video on social media in four languages—French, Italian, English and Spanish. In the video, he said that he had "explosive" information and promised "great revelations" about the 2018 World Cup winner.&nbsp;

Mathias also mentioned he would release unknown facts about Pogba's Frech teammate Kylian Mbappe.&nbsp;

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The star midfielder issued a statement signed by his lawyers, his mother Yeo Moriba and current agent Rafaela Pimenta stating that the videos published on Saturday night "are unfortunately no surprise".&nbsp;

The statement read: "They are in addition to threats and extortion attempts by an organised gang against Paul Pogba. The competent bodies in Italy and France were informed a month ago and there will be no further comments in relation to the ongoing investigation."&nbsp;

What did Mathias say?&nbsp;

Mathias Pogba promised "great revelations about (his) brother Paul Pogba and his agent Rafaela Pimenta". Notably, Rafaela took over as head of the company of former agent Mino Raiola who died in April.&nbsp;

The 32-year-old said the "whole world, as well as my brother's fans, and even more so the French team and Juventus, my brother's team-mates and his sponsors deserve to know certain things".&nbsp;

Mathias Pogba, who is also a professional footballer, also said that people needed to decide whether his brother "deserves his place in the French team and the honour of playing in the World Cup. If he deserves to be a starter at Juventus."&nbsp;

Mathias didn't mention any source or add substance to his claims but concluded by stating that "all this is likely to be explosive.&nbsp;

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Sources say...

AFP reported that according to two sources close to the Pogba family, large sums of money are being demanded from Paul Pogba.&nbsp;

He is asked to pay the amount in order to avoid the dissemination of the allegedly compromising videos.&nbsp;

France Info reported that Paul Pogba told investigators he had been threatened by "childhood friends and two hooded men armed with assault rifles". They are demanding 13 million euros from him for "services provided".&nbsp;

Mathias' reaction

Mathias Pogba, late Sunday, reacted to all the developments related to the news. "Paul, you really wanted to shut me up and lie and send me to prison," wrote Mathias.&nbsp;

"You left me in the hole, while running away and you want to play the innocent. When all is said people will see that there is no bigger coward, bigger traitor and bigger hypocrite than you on this earth," he added.&nbsp;

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French footballer Paul Pogba reportedly informed the police that his brother Matheus Pogba is part of a multi-million euro blackmail attempt. The Juventus star had claimed that an organised gang targeted him for extortion and also threatened him.

French footballer Paul Pogba reportedly informed the police that his brother Matheus Pogba is part of a multi-million euro blackmail attempt. The Juventus star had claimed that an organised gang targeted him for extortion and also threatened him. In the latest development, a source close to the case told the news agency AFP on Sunday (August 28) that the French police have opened an investigation into claims by Pogba. Pogba's brother Mathias posted an unsettling video on social media in four languages—French, Italian, English and Spanish. In the video, he said that he had "explosive" information and promised "great revelations" about the 2018 World Cup winner. Mathias also mentioned he would release unknown facts about Pogba's Frech teammate Kylian Mbappe. ALSO READ | Paul Pogba's brother vows to make 'explosive' revelations about Juventus star and Mbappe in bizarre video The star midfielder issued a statement signed by his lawyers, his mother Yeo Moriba and current agent Rafaela Pimenta stating that the videos published on Saturday night "are unfortunately no surprise". The statement read: "They are in addition to threats and extortion attempts by an organised gang against Paul Pogba. The competent bodies in Italy and France were informed a month ago and there will be no further comments in relation to the ongoing investigation." What did Mathias say? Mathias Pogba promised "great revelations about (his) brother Paul Pogba and his agent Rafaela Pimenta". Notably, Rafaela took over as head of the company of former agent Mino Raiola who died in April. The 32-year-old said the "whole world, as well as my brother's fans, and even more so the French team and Juventus, my brother's team-mates and his sponsors deserve to know certain things". Mathias Pogba, who is also a professional footballer, also said that people needed to decide whether his brother "deserves his place in the French team and the honour of playing in the World Cup. If he deserves to be a starter at Juventus." Mathias didn't mention any source or add substance to his claims but concluded by stating that "all this is likely to be explosive. WATCH | Cristiano Ronaldo hilariously pranks Rio Ferdinand ahead of Southampton clash Sources say... AFP reported that according to two sources close to the Pogba family, large sums of money are being demanded from Paul Pogba. He is asked to pay the amount in order to avoid the dissemination of the allegedly compromising videos. France Info reported that Paul Pogba told investigators he had been threatened by "childhood friends and two hooded men armed with assault rifles". They are demanding 13 million euros from him for "services provided". Mathias' reaction Mathias Pogba, late Sunday, reacted to all the developments related to the news. "Paul, you really wanted to shut me up and lie and send me to prison," wrote Mathias. "You left me in the hole, while running away and you want to play the innocent. When all is said people will see that there is no bigger coward, bigger traitor and bigger hypocrite than you on this earth," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

French police open probe after Paul Pogba claims his brother is part of a multi-million-euro blackmail attempt