“I can’t imagine that he did it knowingly,” slips Deschamps

2023-09-13 00:48:04

Didier Deschamps believes in the good faith of Paul Pogba. WOLFGANG RATTAY / REUTERS

The coach of the France team mentioned for the first time the positive test of Paul Pogba, provisionally suspended.

Special correspondent in Dortmund

His reaction was expected. Didier Deschamps did not show up. While weighing his words. First time in front of the microphones of official broadcasters, then at a press conference in the Signal Iduna Park auditorium following the defeat against Germany on Tuesday evening (2-1). “I was very surprised, I don’t have all the elementshe reacted to the announcement of Paul Pogba’s positive test. I communicated with him by message and we will discuss more in the coming days.»

Relaunched on the fact that the 2018 world champion knowingly doped, his coach refuses to believe this hypothesis: “I can’t imagine that, knowing him, in relation to everything that is in his head, I still remember certain discussions in relation to the vaccine and the Covid… Afterwards, the substance is there, unless there is have second opinions… Knowing the why and the how, I don’t think he himself knows. It’s hard for him. I have always supported him, and this new negative fact makes it one more (after his injuries, the extortion attempt of which he was the target or the family problems, Editor’s note).»

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I would support him and he has the strength and character to get through these very difficult times.

Didier Deschamps on Paul Pogba

A few minutes later, in a packed press room, he analyzed the defeat and responded to this hot topic. “It’s something very heavy that falls on himhe admits without adding more. It’s sad for us and the whole group who knows him. It’s adding up for him. I would support him and he has the strength and character to get through these very difficult times.” One more for the Pickaxe.

Coman’s frank support

Also questioned on the subject in the spans of Signal Iduna Park, before leaving for Munich, Kingsley Coman gave his support to his partner. “ We all support Paul, he’s a very close friend, he’s part of the family, we know Paul, if something happened, we can’t believe for a moment that it was intentional. » The French team is one with its world champion, who is preparing, once again, to experience more than delicate days.