Germany's Rudiger regrets putting mouth on Pogba's back at Euro 2020

Holding France midfielder Paul Pogba from behind, Germany defender Antonio Rudiger appeared to open his mouth and lightly bite his opponent's back.

Holding France midfielder Paul Pogba from behind, Germany defender Antonio Rdiger appeared to open his mouth and lightly bite his opponent's back.

Pogba said the German nibbled on him, and Rdiger said he regrets doing it.

The incident happened Tuesday toward the end of the first half during France's 1-0 win at the European Championship.

I shouldn't go like that with my mouth to his back no question it looks unfortunate, Rdiger said Wednesday.

Paul and I spoke very amicably after the final whistle, and he confirmed to me and then again in an interview that it wasn't a bite, like one or other outsiders said at first.

The Germany defender had said before the game that his team would need to be disgusting to beat the World Cup champions.

And then came that moment with Pogba.

He nibbled, I think, a little bit on me, Pogba said after the game.

I felt it, I told the referee, and he makes the decisions, and he took a decision. It's over. I just want to play football. He hasn't received any cards. I think it's better like this.

Pogba, whose incisive play from midfield helped France win the match, said the incident was nothing big and belongs to the past."

"I am not crying for cards, you know red cars, because of such actions, Pogba said, adding he and Rdiger were friends and had known each other for a long time.

UEFA said Wednesday it was not opening a disciplinary case against Rdiger.

Rdiger said before the UEFA decision he did not expect any retrospective punishment for the incident. Neither Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande nor video assistant Juan Martnez Munuera took any action despite being aware of it.

The referee told me during the game," Rdiger said, "that he would have punished me if he considered it a violent act.