‘Nibbling’ incident on French star stuns Euros

Football fans couldn’t believe their eyes on Wednesday morning (AEST) when an apparent biting incident threatened to overshadow the Euro 2020 group stage match between France and Germany.

Just before halftime, Germany defender Antonio Rudiger appeared to bite France midfielder Paul Pogba’s shoulder before reaching around his chest and seemingly grabbing his nipple.

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Pogba winced in pain and complained to the referee but no foul was given and Rudiger escaped without a yellow or red card.

Did Rudiger really just BITE Pogba!? ? pic.twitter.com/cSQP1Mc7K0

Commentators were quick to notice the incident but underplayed the severity of the bite.

“You’ve seen Pogba’s reaction. It looked like a bite, so I don’t really understand what he was trying to do there,” former France captain Patrick Vierira said on ITV.

“I think it was more of a nibble than a bite, wasn’t it though?” England great Roy Keane added.

“Yeah it wasn’t a proper bite, wasn’t it?” Keane said.

Antonio Rudiger’s "nibble" on France’s Paul Pogba drew plenty of atttention.Source:Twitter

Pogba forgave Rudiger for the indiscretion and the pair was seen sharing a hug on the field after the full-time whistle.

“We’re friends,” Pogba told reporters after the game.

“This was nothing big. I think you saw the TV pictures, this is all over, this belongs in the past.

“I’m not crying for yellow or red cards for such actions. He nibbled, I think, a little bit on me.

“We’ve known each other for a long time.

“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.”

Pogba and Rudiger hug it out after the game ? pic.twitter.com/lnuVlrBZrG

All in the past: Antonio Ruediger and Paul Pogba embrace after the Euro 2020 match between Germany and France. (Photo by ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN/POOL/AFP)Source:AFP

The incident didn’t bother Pogba too much, as he was awarded man of the match for his role in helping the World Cup champions get their Euro campaign off to a good start.

His superb pass set up teammate Mats Hummels’ goal in the 20th minute, which was enough for France to claim a 1-0 victory in the Group F clash between the European football giants.

That ball from Paul Pogba was just too good for it to go to waste ?

Mats Hummels becomes the first German player to score an own goal at the Euros, and France lead in Munich.

LIVE | https://t.co/A5TjU71NUo#EURO2020#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/2QNc0sBPGf

It was an eventful day for the Manchester United star, who could face punishment for a potential Covid-19 breach after he was seen climbing into the stands to give someone his jersey and pose for selfies.

? ما رأيك في تصرف بوغبا؟ هل سيتعرض النجم الفرنسي للعقاب؟#فرنسا_المانيا | #يورو2020pic.twitter.com/CbPVZlvG1V

Pogba also caused a stir when he emulated Christiano Ronaldo by removing a sponsor’s drink bottle from the press conference table.

Following Portugal’s tournament opener against Hungary, Ronaldo decided a pair of Coca-Cola glass bottles didn’t belong on the table in front of him during a press conference.

After removing the bottles from the table and placing them out of sight, the 36-year-old produced a bottle of water, holding it up and proclaiming, “Drink water”.

The Athletic reported that Coca-Cola’s shares dropped 1.6 per cent dip in value following Ronaldo’s cheeky stunt, a market value drop of approximately AU$5.2 billion.

During the post-match press conference at Munich’s Allianz Stadium, Pogba removed a bottle of Heineken from the table, similarly placing it out of sight from the cameras.

Heineken is the official beer partner of Euro 2020.

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