Until Friday morning, uncertainty hovered around the Coupe de France match between the Girondins de Bordeaux and Stade Brestois, this Sunday. The French Football Federation (FFF) has made a 360-degree turn by allowing clubs to play reservists who have not participated in one of the last two official meetings. Bordeaux is fully concerned by this decision because it is, at present, the club most affected by the Covid in Ligue 1. 21 professional players are affected, according to the medical point made by the club’s doctor, Thierry Delmeule, this Friday noon at a press conference. The Girondins de Bordeaux will therefore play well, with regret, against Brest this Sunday.
The rule of seven players
Initially, the FFF required that the clubs align “at least seven players who have participated in one of the last two official matches“to be able to participate in a Coupe de France match. If this morning, Thierry Delmeule assured that the club was at the limit and”that a single case or a guard could tip us over“, the information of its easing”exceptionally“came to shake up the press conference. In short, matches must take place at all costs. Surprised by the news, the very laconic Vladimir Petkovic only said: “We are afraid that a new positive case will still arrive.“For his part, his Breton counterpart, Michel Der Zakarian did not extend his health situation to the Girondins:”I take care of preparing my group for the second part of the season.“Which greatly displeased the management of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
What players does the Bosnian coach have? “A defender and the rest are all attackers“, replied the person concerned at a press conference. Benoît Costil and Gaëtan Chick being positive, Davy Rouyard (0 pro game) should start in goal. According to our colleagues on the Team, only Timothy Pembele is present among the defenders who play in the professional workforce. Malcom Bokele and Junior Mwanga (N3) are unavailable.
The convoluted course for a contaminated player
Like any citizen, if a player is positive, he must respect ten days of isolation. On the eleventh day, he can resume training but not competition. “Then, we have the right to request a PCR test on D11. If on the twelfth day, these two tests are negative, he can resume competition on D13. On the other hand, if one of these two tests is positive, that cancels everything and he will resume competition only on D18“, specifies Doctor Delmeule. In all cases, the player can train at the end of his isolation (on D11) with the rest of the group or alone depending on his form. This is possible because”even if, with the Omicron, we have viral traceability for two, three or four weeks, we consider that it is no longer contagious after this incubation period.“
If on the twelfth day, these two tests are negative, he can resume competition on D13 – Thierry Delmeule, club doctor
This raises the question of its physical and psychological form. According to Doctor Delmeule, approximately 25% of infected players have symptoms without being seriously affected. However, before you can prepare properly for a match at very high physical and mental intensity, there is a step. “If a player was tired and has bronchial inflammation, it often takes three weeks to recover. So, yes, there is probably going to be an effect on their physical condition.“, indicates the doctor of the club.
There will probably be an effect on their physical state – Doctor Thierry Delmeule
Of the players currently unavailable, 11 could return for the match against Olympique Marseille on January 7, subject to the aforementioned protocol by Dr Delmeule. “It’s very theoretical because in my opinion we will not have this figure“, qualifies the latter. He also specifies that the two players who are not vaccinated are not among the positive cases. However, if the vaccine pass goes into effect in mid-January, as appears to be the case, they will have to be at the risk of not being able to play anymore. “We’ve been discussing it for a long time, trying to convince them. I believe they have no choice if they want to play competitive football“, concludes, cautious Thierry Delmeule.