Rudiger escapes action for ‘biting’ Pogba in Germany’s Euro 2020 loss to France and insists pair have smoothed it over
ANTONIO RUDIGER will escape action for his apparent “bite” on Paul Pogba.
Chelsea defender Rudiger appeared to nibble the back of Pogba’s neck and tweak his nipple in the latter stages of the first half of Germany’s opening group F defeat by France.
The incident was spotted by the cameras and looked at by the VAR officials on duty at Uefa’s Nyon base.
And despite the pictures being shared globally, Uefa have confirmed that no disciplinary case has been opened by inspectors, clearing Rudiger to face Portugal in Germany’s next game in Munich on Saturday.
Rudiger, 28, denied biting the France star but conceded that the incident looks ‘unfortunate’.
He said: “I should not come close with my mouth to his back, no doubt about it.
“It looks unfortunate. Paul and I have talked about it as friends after the final whistle.
“And he stated in our little talk and talking to the press that it was no bite, as some viewers first thought it was.
“Even during the match, the ref told me that he would have punished me if he thought that it was violent conduct.”
Pogba appeared perplexed at the time, complaining to the referee.
Royal Ascot day two special
- LIVE BLOG: Latest action from Royal Ascot
- FREE BETS: Get £40 in free bets with Betfair
- TOP TIPS: Templegate’s tips for day two at Ascot
- BET BONUS: Get £50 in free bets with Sky Bet
- BETTING SPECIAL: Full guide of new customer offers
Most read in Football
But the midfielder is glad that Rudiger wasn’t punished.
He said: “We’re friends. This was nothing big.
“I’m not crying for yellow or red cards for such actions. He nibbled, I think, a little bit on me.
“I felt it, I told the referee, he takes the decisions and he took the decision.
“He hasn’t received any card and I think it’s better like this. I don’t want him to be suspended because of this.”
Luis Suarez famously bit Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, being slapped with a four-month ban.
The Uruguayan had already received two biting charges prior to that offence, on Otman Bakkal and Branislav Ivanovic respectively.
Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds