Germany star Antonio Rudiger has responded to claims that he bit France midfielder Paul Pogba during their UEFA European Championship clash earlier this week.
With the incident being caught on camera, it appeared that Rudiger nibbled Pogba's back just before the half-time break of their Group F match on Tuesday night.
There was no immediate punishment for the German defender, though, while the video assistant referee was also not summoned despite Pogba's protests at the time.
However, Rudiger has since insisted that, although videos of the incident have not put him in a good light, no biting transpired.
"Paul and I have talked about it as friends after the final whistle.
"And he stated in our little talk and talking to the press that it was no bite, as some viewers first thought it was. Even during the match, the ref told me that he would have punished me if he thought that it was violent conduct."
