Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has denied media reports that claimed he quit the France national team over comments made by the country’s President Emmanuel Macron which were perceived to be against Islam.
The French leader this month declared war on “Islamist separatism”, which he believes is taking over some Muslim communities in France.
The Sun newspaper alleged Pogba, a practising Muslim, reacted to Macron’s comments by quitting the national team.
The newspaper has since apologised and amended its story.
“Unacceptable,” the 27-year-old wrote on an Instagram post along with a “fake news” sticker on a screenshot of the headline from The Sun.
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) October 26, 2020
“So The Sun did it again,” he added. “Absolutely 100% unfounded news about me are going around, stating things I have never said or thought.
“I am appalled, angry, shocked and frustrated some ‘media’ sources use me to make total fake headlines in the sensible subject of French current events and adding the French national team to the pot.