Fact Check: Paul Pogba did not quit French football team after President Macron's remarks on Islam

Hyderabad: The Sun recently tweeted that Paul Pogba, who plays for Manchester United and the French national team, retired from international football in response to French President Macron's comments on "Islamist terrorism".

Many other media organisations like Sun, Republic and WION also reported the same.

The claim was viral on social media too.

FACT CHECK:

The claim that Pogba quit football following President Macron's comment is FALSE.

NewsMeter found that Pogba had addressed this issue on his Instagram account. He wrote that the headlines are fake and he will take legal action against the publishers of the fake news. "So The Sun did it again… absolutely 100% unfounded news about me is going around, stating things I have never said or thought," he wrote.

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So The Sun did it again... 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 my religion and the French National Team to the pot. I am against any and all forms of terror and violence. My religion is one of peace and love and must be respected. Unfortunately, some press people don't act responsibly when writing the news, abusing their press freedom, not verifying if what they write/reproduce is true, creating a gossip chain without caring it affects people's lives and my life. I am taking legal action against the publishers and spreaders of these 100% Fake News. In a quick shout out to The Sun, who normally could not care less: some of you guys probably went to school and will remember how your teacher said to always check your sources, don't write without making sure. But hey, seems you did it again and on a very serious topic this time, shame on you! #fakenews #AllezLesBleus @equipedefrance

A post shared by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) on Oct 26, 2020 at 5:20am PDT

He also tweeted about the misinformation.

After this, The Sun updated its report and added a clarification and apologised to Pogba on Twitter. "Man Utd star Paul Pogba rubbishes rumours he will quit France over President Macron's comments on 'Islamist terrorism'," reads the updated headline in the report.

Below is the clarification and apology by The Sun.

Many other organisations that had reported the fake news, like 195 sports, Republic, and WION, updated their reports and wrote that Pogba had slammed reports that claimed he quit the national team after Macron's remarks.

ESPN FC also tweeted that the claim is false and Pogba will take legal action against the news outlets.

It is clear that Pogba has not quit football because of President Macron's comments on 'Islamist terrorism'. Thus, the claim is FALSE.