Euro hosts France suffer another setback with Mathieu injury
Barcelona's versatile defender is being replaced in the squad by Samuel Umtiti of Olympique Lyonnais
File photo of French soccer team player Jeremy Mathieu runs with the ball in a internatioal friendly against Russia on March 29 at Stade de France stadium, Saint-Denis, France PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS:
France's defensive woes continued on Saturday when defender Jeremy Mathieu was ruled out of the Euro 2016 finals with a calf injury, coach Didier Deschamps's third backline setback in a month.
Barcelona's versatile defender Mathieu is being replaced in the squad by Samuel Umtiti of Olympique Lyonnais.
Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane was also ruled out with a thigh injury and Deschamps had omitted Mamadou Sakho after the Liverpool defender's failed drugs test.
Sakho's provisional 30-day suspension, however, will not be extended by UEFA, according to L'Equipe, meaning Deschamps would be free to include him before the May 31 deadline.
France start their campaign on home soil against Romania on June 10, before facing Albania and Switzerland in Group A.
France's defensive woes continued on Saturday when defender Jeremy Mathieu was ruled out of the Euro 2016 finals with a calf injury, coach Didier Deschamps's third backline setback in a month.
Barcelona's versatile defender Mathieu is being replaced in the squad by Samuel Umtiti of Olympique Lyonnais.
Diego Costa omitted from Spain Euro 2016 squad
Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane was also ruled out with a thigh injury and Deschamps had omitted Mamadou Sakho after the Liverpool defender's failed drugs test.
Sakho's provisional 30-day suspension, however, will not be extended by UEFA, according to L'Equipe, meaning Deschamps would be free to include him before the May 31 deadline.
Playing in Euro 2016 would be ‘pinnacle’ of my season, says Vardy
France start their campaign on home soil against Romania on June 10, before facing Albania and Switzerland in Group A.