Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic and Thierry Delmeule, club doctor, attended a press conference on Friday to take stock of the situation of the Girondins de Bordeaux, 48 hours from the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Brest. 21 cases of coronavirus have been detected for the Gironde club, which will still have to play after the latest provisions of the FFF.

Despite 21 cases of coronavirus within its first team, Bordeaux will play Sunday in a round of 16 of the Coupe de France on a trip to Brest. At a press conference this Friday with Vladimir Petkovic, Thierry Delmeule, the club’s doctor, took stock of the situation.

“I think that 21 cases out of 30 players, we can say that it makes a cluster, estimated Dr Delmeule. Why? It is a reflection of what is happening in society now with the Omicron variant. We were lucky. to hold on until now. During the first tests, we had Delta and Omicron, but on the last ones carried out, it is only Omicron. It is very difficult to trace the chain of contaminations. “

“We must be patient and careful for the health of the players for the future as well”

If negative players are not considered as cases of contact, an exception reported to the football world, Dr. Delmeule estimates that in 25% of cases in Bordeaux, players experience symptoms with flu-like conditions. The cases are not serious but the players are generally tired. “If a player returns to training next week, it is impossible for him to be ready to have 90 minutes of resistance against Marseille, a Vladimir Petkovic, while the Girondins must receive the Phocéens on January 7 in the league. The problem It’s not just this match against OM. It’s that we have to be patient and careful for the health of the players for the future as well. “

In theory, some players, currently positive, could therefore swell the ranks of Bordeaux within a few days, without being able to be physically fit to play. Vladimir Petkovic currently has a defender from his professional group, but also several attackers.

While waiting for the Coupe de France, according to information from RMC Sport, the FFF has decided to disregard the rule of 7 players who participated in one of the last two meetings, to avoid multiple reports and forfeits. otherwise a forfeit, or a postponement, could be pronounced. This measure gives clubs the opportunity to draw from the reserve and from the youth teams. A measure “which does not necessarily suit” Bordeaux, which feels obliged to “play at all costs”.