"Football is very beautiful, but it's cruel," reflected Paul Pogba during an interview released on September 10. "Sometimes, I don't want to have money any more. I just don't want to play any more..." Curiously, the very next day, the Juventus superstar, who had shattered the world transfer record a mere seven years ago, found himself entangled in controversy as he tested positive for prohibited substances. 

Following Juventus' 3-0 victory against Udinese on August 20, Pogba was chosen for random testing by the authorities. The initial test results revealed heightened levels of testosterone in his system, warranting further investigation. 

"What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule," affirmed Rafaela Pimenta, agent of the World Cup winner. However, subsequent findings revealed that Pogba's B sample testing also yielded positive results. If found guilty of doping, Pogba could face a suspension ranging from two to four years, in accordance with the applicable regulations. 

The repercussions of Pogba's positive test proved to be a significant setback for Juventus. However, as if the situation was not already challenging for the Italian giants, another star could be unavailable due to off-field issues. 

The Federal Prosecutor's Office of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced late on Tuesday that Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli will serve a seven-month ban from football for breaching rules on gambling. 

The suspension represents a reduction from the standard punishment typically administered for the infringement of Article 24 of the Sporting Justice Code, which is ordinarily set at three years. The final decision was reached through plea bargaining facilitated by Fagioli's legal team. 

As part of Fagioli's agreement with the FIGC regarding his disciplinary measures, he will be obligated to engage in a series of at least 10 sessions which will involve sharing his personal experiences with sporting organizations and groups dedicated to supporting individuals struggling with gambling addictions.

Fagioli, who is at the forefront of the probe initiated by the FIGC, was the first footballer to be associated with the investigation into illicit betting platforms. Additionally, fellow players Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa have also been subjected to police questioning as part of this ongoing inquiry.