Following the announcement of his 4-year ban for doping, Paul Pogba’s legal team are readying a surprise defence tactic in the hopes of clearing the midfielder’s name.

According to reports, rather than disputing his adverse samples – which his lawyers believe to be irrefutable, the Frenchman’s legal team will instead claim that doping has negatively affected his on-field performances, therefore nullifying any sporting advantage he may have received. 

Speaking to Total FootBull, Pogba’s lawyer Dianna Bol said: ‘To suggest Paul has received any benefit from doping is absurd. Anyone who has watched Paul play over the past three or four seasons will tell you the same.’

She continued, ‘In reality, the only people receiving an advantage, assuming Paul’s able to limp onto the field to begin with, are Paul’s opponents.’

Pogba’s lawyers had considered several different defence tactics – from witchcraft gone wrong to a case of contaminated hair dye – before settling on the performance-decreasing drug approach as it was deemed marginally more plausible.

And in an even more surprising turn of events, reports in Italy claim that the outspoken Pogba critic, Graeme Souness, could be called up as a witness for the defence. Lawyers think that Souness frothing at the mouth before a judge while dissecting Pogba’s performances should be enough to validate their argument and ultimately, vindicate the former United star.  

Questioned about the ban, Souness didn’t hold back, saying, ‘I mean, clearly, the drugs aren’t working for the lad. Forget playing for the Old Lady. He’s been playing like an old lady. Strolling about the pitch at a mile an hour, too worried about his hair, shopping, and dodgy knee to put in a shift.’

Meanwhile, Serie A bosses issued a statement condemning ‘doping in all its forms,’ declaring that ‘Serie A has long been synonymous with honesty and fair play, and players that seek to damage our division’s stellar reputation will be punished accordingly.’ 

Catch Pogba vs The Italian Anti-Doping Tribunal live from The Court of Arbitration for Sport, May 21st, Sky Sports Box Office.