“When we make a decision, we assume it, and I will assume it.” It was with these few words given to the newspaper l’Equipe that the President of Lille confirmed a rumor that had been circulating for several days. Just hours after announcing the preliminary list of 25 players selected by Thierry Henry to prepare for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament, Olivier Letang explained that he would not release his three called-up players.
Future Olympic starter Lucas Chevalier and defenders Bafodé Diakite and Leni Yoro were expected to be the goalkeeper, even if the latter could possibly be released by his new club in the event of a transfer. We would like to remind you that the Olympic tournament does not take place on the dates set by FIFA and clubs can decide whether to allow their players to attend. “I’m not disappointed, no,” Thierry Henry said Monday morning when announcing the list. I would be surprised on the contrary. Clubs have the right. And people respect the rules… This would be known if people respected something else. »
So here he faces another big blow, which will be accompanied, as we have been saying since last week, by the same refusal by PSG to release Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, also on the provisional list. Even if the reason is different: for the two Parisians, the call to the Euro complicates the sequence of the two competitions. For Lille it is a matter of the calendar and… the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Indeed, Losk finished 4th at the last French Championships and will play in early August, halfway through the Olympic tournament, his place in Europe’s premier competition. And at the same time, inevitably, pleasant financial success. “I called my players and they understood,” Letang continues. We have an extremely important deadline for our club. I am the president of LOSC and protect its interests. It’s not even worth asking the question. If our position is unique, it is also because we are the only ones who play in the playoffs.”
If he confirms that he would happily play the Olympics without this Champions League match, Letang concludes: “How could I explain to our fans, our economic partners or the teammates of Lucas or Bafoda that we would be playing in our Champions League? qualification without them? Nobody would understand. »
Source: Le Parisien
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a keen interest in sports and have written for many different publications. I am currently working as an author at 24 News Recorder. I cover mostly sports news but also write about other topics such as current affairs and politics. I have a strong interest in social media and how it can be used to engage with audiences.
