Pogba suspended for doping: “I can’t imagine he did it knowingly,” slips Deschamps

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 elements,” he 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, compared to everything he has in his head, I still recalls certain discussions regarding the vaccine and Covid... Afterwards, the substance is there, unless there are counter-expertises... 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).”

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 him,” he admits without adding more. It’s sad for us and the whole group who knows him. It adds up for him. I will support him and he has the strength and character to get through these very difficult times.” One more for the Pickaxe.

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.