The Sun has apologised for running a story on Paul Pogba – but did so while shouldering the blame for questionable reporting.
Paul Pogba was left angered when a story did the rounds this morning suggesting the midfielder was set to call time on his international career.
The World Cup-winner was rumoured to have resigned from the France national team over comments made by President Emmanuel Macron.
The French President described the murder of teacher Samuel Paty, 47, as an ‘Islamic terrorist attack’ and said: “Unity and firmness are the only answers to the monstrosity of Islamist terrorism.”
A Sun spokesperson said, as per @TheSunFootball: “We reported on a story that Paul Pogba had taken the decision to quit the French national team after it was published on a sports website.
“That story was also published by The Mirror, Mail Online and other websites.
“Subsequently, Paul Pogba has denied the claim and we have updated our story accordingly.
“We apologise for any upset caused.”
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) October 26, 2020
Now, the different here is we also ran the original story when it first appeared. We carefully stated that there was nothing from the player or France national set up to suggest there was any truth in the story.
And followed it up by accurate reports.
Pogba also responded to the story via Instagram, writing: “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 the French National Team and my religion to the pot. I am against any and all forms of terror and violence. 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 in a very serious topic this time, shame on you!”
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