Relieved against the lack of flexibility of the French Federation, Bordeaux, which has 21 positive cases of Covid-19 out of 30 players, should line up a team in Brest in the Coupe de France, Sunday, January 2.
While the scapular club, via a press release Thursday from its president Gérard Lopez, wanted, without actually asking, a postponement of its match in Brest despite the intransigence of the FFF, organizer of the event, the latter opened a breach in the middle of the day by exceptionally relaxing its regulations.
Until Thursday, any club engaged in the Coupe de France had to present at least seven players who participated in one of the last two official meetings. “Bordeaux was at the limit, a single player or a goalkeeper, which is the same for us, can tip us over“, even Friday confided shortly before noon the doctor of the Girondins Thierry Delmeule.
The deletion of this “7 player rule“Obviously changes the situation because Bordeaux only had one defender and six valid attackers.”It forces us to play“, quipped Dr. Delmeule upon the announcement of this rule change.”They are afraid that we still have positive players“, engaged the coach Vladimir Petkovic, and that Bordeaux forfeit.
As he had planned, the technician will draw on the reserves of the club to form his group. “On a medical level, if they are suitable to play in National 3, they are also suitable to play with us“, specified the Bordeaux doctor.”From a sporting point of view, I do not see any risk in making young people play“, assured the Swiss technician who, since the resumption of training on December 29, organizes the sessions with separate groups of players to avoid any additional risk.
“We are going to Brest with the desire to win, not just to participate in a show. I will try to make a mixed group to put all the chances on our sidePetkovic continued. In such a case, the first thing to do is to focus on us, to work well together. We have been pretty good at getting out of the difficulties so far, we have to help each other and join forces. For the moment the other team is the favorite, which gives the opportunity to create a big surprise.“