'Fake news': Paul Pogba slams reports he's quitting France national team over Macron's Islam comments
Macron has been embroiled in a row over Islamophobia, which had reportedly saw one of France's most famous Muslim figures get involved.
2 min read
Paul Pogba is one of France's most famous Muslim celebrities [Instagram]
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has denied reports that he will quit the French national team over controversial remarks made by President Emmanuel Macron about Islam, which have been deemed "racist" and "insulting" by many French Muslims.
Pogba, who is also a Muslim, was quick to respond to unsubstantiated claims made by an Arabic-language website that he was quitting the French national team over the row.
The false story in the Egyptian sports site was soon picked up by UK newspapers - including The Sun and The Daily Mail - leading Pogba to promptly dismiss the claims on his Instagram page.
"Unacceptable, Fake News" Pogba wrote in a graphic over a screenshot of The Sun's story on the claims.
Pogba played a key role in France's 2018 World Cup win and is also a leading figure in Manchester United's squad.
Pogba converted to Islam in his 20s and said his faith has helped brought him "inner-peace" during the height of his fame.
Macron has been embroiled in controversy since making a series of remarks about Islam and Islamism.
France has been divided on the issue of whether depictions of the Prophet Muhammad by outlets, such as Charlie Hebdo, constitute free speech or an attack on the country's Muslim minority.
French schoolteacher Samuel Paty was brutally murdered on 16 October by an 18-year-old earlier, after he had allegedly showed his class pictures of the Prophet Muhammad.
The horrific killing sparked nationwide outrage and a new debate on the cartoons with some projecting the offending images onto public buildings in French cities.
Pogba, who is also a Muslim, was quick to respond to unsubstantiated claims made by an Arabic-language website that he was quitting the French national team over the row.
The false story in the Egyptian sports site was soon picked up by UK newspapers - including The Sun and The Daily Mail - leading Pogba to promptly dismiss the claims on his Instagram page.
"Unacceptable, Fake News" Pogba wrote in a graphic over a screenshot of The Sun's story on the claims.
Pogba played a key role in France's 2018 World Cup win and is also a leading figure in Manchester United's squad.
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Pogba converted to Islam in his 20s and said his faith has helped brought him "inner-peace" during the height of his fame.
Macron has been embroiled in controversy since making a series of remarks about Islam and Islamism.
France has been divided on the issue of whether depictions of the Prophet Muhammad by outlets, such as Charlie Hebdo, constitute free speech or an attack on the country's Muslim minority.
French schoolteacher Samuel Paty was brutally murdered on 16 October by an 18-year-old earlier, after he had allegedly showed his class pictures of the Prophet Muhammad.
The horrific killing sparked nationwide outrage and a new debate on the cartoons with some projecting the offending images onto public buildings in French cities.
Although Paty's murder was widely condemned by France's Muslim community, many have said the cartoons are insulting and racist.
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