Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is set to take legal action against The Sun over a false news story posted on Monday morning.
The Red Devils midfielder has handed out a quick response to reports that he is planning to quit playing international football for France.
The Sun ran a story headlined: “Man Utd star Paul Pogba has ‘quit playing for France’ over President Macron’s comments on ‘Islamist terrorism'” – breaking the alleged news that the midfielder was stepping back from international football.
But the Premier League star has come out on social media and slammed the whole report with “Unacceptable: Fake News” stamped over the top.
On Instagram, Pogba posted the same image with a long caption to express his discontent with what The Sun had done.
He wrote: “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 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!”
The original story claimed that Pogba “has reportedly quit international football after comments from French president Emmanuel Macron alleging that Islam was the source of international terrorism.”
The Sun did reveal that their story came via “various Middle Eastern news sources, but neither the 27-year-old, nor the French Football Association, has commented on the speculation.”
But now, with Pogba himself coming out and disregarding it, it looks like The Sun will have to eat its own words, and we know how often that happens.
While there is always debate over his performances at Manchester United, Paul Pogba has been incredible for the French national football team. He is the automatic first choice midfielder in Didier Deschamps’ side and looks in very high spirits whenever he is with the national team.
And soon after Pogba’s revert, it has been reported that the player will take legal action against the newspaper.
A Sun spokesperson said: “We reported on a story that Paul Pogba had taken the decision to quit the French national football team after it was published on a sports website.
“That story was also published by The Mirror, Mail Online and other websites.
“Subsequently, Paul Pogha has denied the clam and we have updated our stow accordingly.
“We apologise for any upset caused.”
Fans reacted after seeing Paul Pogba rumorued to take legal action against ‘The Sun’ over the false news story…
Ratio’d by Paul Labile Pogba pic.twitter.com/1cz2Ks6LjL
— Muzza ? (@MuzzaUTD) October 26, 2020
Love how quick you were to throw other names into the mix. Like a 7 year old at school.
— Mrpestypest (@Mrpestypest1) October 26, 2020
So it’s acceptable to post stories from other websites without checking them out. That’s not journalism.
— Gwilym Cox (@gwilymcox) October 26, 2020
Shock ?
— Garry Joseph (@GJoseph_) October 26, 2020
Love when footballers call out shit journalism
— Aidan Walsh ? (@AidanWalshMUFC) October 26, 2020
— UtdSensei (@UtdSensei) October 26, 2020
Another world cup for the French pic.twitter.com/yQqBdvyQjf
— ‘ (@UtdAmin03) October 26, 2020
No need to stress yourself big man, at the end of the day.. It’s the Sun
— Philzy (@Philzytd) October 26, 2020
Let’s all back Paul Pogba as he sues The Sun. https://t.co/Ey9OAkzN4o
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) October 26, 2020
My highlight of the day is Paul Pogba single handedly putting The Sun out of business.
— Abhiruchi Kumari (@AbhiruchiReds) October 26, 2020
Pogba is tackling this understandably from the legal side of things, but I would like to see the club back him by tackling this from a different angle as well and revoke the Sun’s media privileges from United. https://t.co/Y4IPuyewbj
— Daniel (@UtdApollo) October 26, 2020
Pogba putting the sun in the mud. Love to see it ❤️
— Danny Van De Beek ???? (@daniellejmufc) October 26, 2020
If Pogba sues The Sun out of existence, I don’t care what he does/doesn’t do on the pitch ever again, he will forever be a legend https://t.co/T7RLCMRLVK
— Leepo (@I_am_Leepo) October 26, 2020
A few months ago, The Sun were forced to take down their article about Leeds United.
The ‘likes, retweets and replies’ quickly gathering pace from majority of social media users who laughed and didn’t believe it just by reading the headline to it.
The story claimed that Lionel Messi was urging La Liga giants Barcelona to get rid of Quique Setién and swopped in for Marcelo Bielsa to replace him.
View this post on Instagram
Many fans questioned how genuine the article was, especially as it had no such quotes included with it.
The Sun stated that Bielsa’s contract is set to run out next week, yet we all know that it’s been reported elsewhere that a deal was looking on the verge of happening to see the current manager lead his side into the new Premier League season.
The report added that Bielsa being linked with Barca was bound to set ‘alarm bells are ringing at Elland Road’.
They added that club bosses have so far been fairly relaxed about delaying new talks to allow Bielsa to enjoy the title celebrations.
Though, it did add that they had been no contact between the two sides as of yet.
However, the prospect of losing a man who has done so much for the club may prompt to act imminently.
According to The Sun, Messi has been frustrated at current Nou Camp coach after the club missed out on winning the league title.
The 61-year-old is coming under increasing pressure despite being in the role for little over six months.
There is also concern about the off-the-field issues at the Spanish giants, with Josep Maria Bartomeu’s future as club president under threat.
All of which was mentioned in The Sun’s story, which caught the attention on many other media outlets in teamTALK, Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mirror, Sports Mole, Yahoo, Football365, Daily Star and Leeds Live. It got onto BBC Sport’s gossip column.
The Sun however have ended up deleting their ‘exclusive’ story, with the URL now including the words ‘legal removal’.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/legal-removal/football/12223747/lionel-messi-barcelona-leeds-marcelo-bielsa-setien/
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
As MOTLeedsNews reveals, it and the Daily Mirror’s article links to an empty page.
It’s rare that something like this happens for such a big story, but it seems someone has contacted The Sun after taking issue with it.
There could been many reasons as to why it was taken down, but it seemed a rather unusual disjointed story that looks false from the off.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login