Beppe Marotta brought Paul Pogba to Juventus in 2012 and is saddened to see him suspended for failing a doping test. ‘I can guarantee he is a serious professional and hope it can act as a warning to other players.’
The midfielder showed elevated levels of testosterone in his sample taken after the 3-0 win away to Udinese on August 20, a game that Pogba spent entirely on the bench.
According to multiple reports, he has confessed that he took a vitamin integrator – a dietary supplement – in America over the summer without first consulting the Juventus medical staff and therefore might’ve inadvertently taken the banned substance.
“I have a rapport of great affection with Pogba,” Inter general manager Marotta told reporters at the Premio Gentleman event this evening.
“We signed him as a free agent from Manchester United and then sold him on for over €100m, which was simply extraordinary.
“I can only say that he is a good guy, but I don’t want to get into the details of it, because this is not up to me. I am simply sad.”
Pogba will try to prove he unknowingly took the banned substance, but if he did indeed take a dietary supplement without consulting the club doctors, then Juventus have a strong case to terminate his contract.
Marotta, who worked at Juventus from 2010 to October 2018, joining Inter a couple of months later, sees a silver lining in the attention surrounding the Pogba controversy.
“If players are not being strict with what they consume, then I hope it can act as a warning to other players. I hope he can resolve the situation and I can guarantee he is a serious professional.”