UEFA will not launch a disciplinary investigation against German defender Antonio Rüdiger, accused by Paul Pogba of having “pinched him a bit” on Tuesday night in Germany’s 1-0 loss to France in the European Championship.
After reviewing the images of the meeting, as it does systematically, the body “does not open a disciplinary case,” a spokesperson confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old German defender, who before the premiere promised to play “dirty”, regretted his gesture against the French midfielder at dawn, but denied having bitten him.
“I have no right” to do that. German defender Antonio Rüdiger regretted his gesture on Tuesday against Paul Pogba in the Euro Cup game against France, but said he did not bite the French midfielder.
“Obviously, I do not have the right to go like this with my mouth against his back,” said the Chelsea footballer, in a reaction released by his agent.
“After the final whistle, we spoke very amicably with Paul,” added the recent Champions League winner. “And both with me and later in the interview, he confirmed that it was not a bite, as some had thought at first.”
Pogba, very angry at the time, pointed out the incident to the referee, but later in a press conference he wanted to take away the iron.
“We are friends, we have known each other for a long time. It was nothing serious, “said the Frenchman, named man of the match by UEFA. I think he pinched me a bit. He didn’t see a card and I think it’s better this way. I don’t want him to be suspended for that. We hugged at the end of the game and that was it, “he explained. AFP (HN)