World Cup 2022: Ill France players 'staying in their rooms'

16th Dec 2022 | Source: BBC

France striker Randal Kolo Muani said his team-mates are being very careful to prevent the virus spreading further

Several France players have caught colds, with Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate the latest to fall ill and miss training, the French Football Federation has confirmed.

Defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot were unavailable for the semi-final win over Morocco on Wednesday because of the illness.

Striker Randal Kolo Muani said the infected were isolating in their rooms.

France face Argentina in the World Cup final at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.

"Those who are sick stay in their rooms," said Kolo Muani. "They're being taken care of by the doctors and we've been enforcing social distancing. We're very strict about it."

Forward Ousmane Dembele agreed, saying the squad "were not scared" of the virus: "We've been taking precautions and I think everyone will be ready."

Boss Didier Deschamps had said on Wednesday he expected Upamecano and Rabiot to be well enough for the final.

However, should Konate and Varane be ruled out, he will have a selection dilemma as he would be without two of his top three defenders.