Man Utd star Paul Pogba could face punishment for potential COVID breach after France win

Paul Pogba was named the man of the match after helping France start their Euro 2020 campaign with a win over Germany.

Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Paul Pogba could reportedly face punishment if he is judged to have breached COVID regulations after France's 1-0 win over Germany. The Manchester United midfielder was pictured climbing up into the stands to give someone his shirt.

The World Cup winner was named the man of the match at the Allianz Arena, as Les Blues started their Euro 2020 campaign with a win.

A Mats Hummels own goal was enough to see the job through although the scoreline did not do France's performance justice, with the gulf in class between the two sides evident.

After the game, Pogba was keen to embrace somebody in the crowd as he reached up to hand them his shirt.

According to beIN SPORTS, Pogba could now potentially have landed himself in hot water.

UEFA will now assess whether he has breached their strict COVID regulations that all players must abide by.

Paul Pogba may have breached UEFA's COVID-19 regulations after France beat Germany

They have been clear throughout that they must prevent the spread of the virus and Pogba may have put himself at risk by embracing those from outside the French bubble.

Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo has had to pay a heavy price after testing positive for COVID-19 last weekend.

Should any player test positive now the tournament has started, they will not be able to return to their squad even after a negative test.

Besides the minor talking point after the game, Pogba was delighted with his side's performance.

"We all made effort, this win is for everyone, not only those who were on the pitch," he said.

"Everyone was talking before the Euros, favourites or not favourites, group of death... we are focused on what has to be done on the pitch."

There was another incident that is likely to be assessed by UEFA.

Pogba appeared to be bitten by Chelsea and Germany defender Antonio Rudiger in the first half.

Cameras picked up the incident as Pogba immediately reacted as he screamed in pain.

He then protested to the officials but they were not prepared to take a look and the game was allowed to continue.

Pundit Ian Wright wasn't entirely convinced in the ITV studio: "I don't know what he's done there. If he's bit him there he's going to flinch - he's not flinched at all.

"He's not flinched there, I don't know what's happened there, can't see it."

Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira was convinced it was in fact a bite though: "When you see that Pogba reaction, it felt like a bite. So I don't really understand what he was trying to do there, Rudiger.

Roy Keane then chimed in and his response was as you would expect.

"I think it was more of a nibble wasn't it than a bite," he said. "Yeah it wasn't a proper bite. But a silly thing to do."