By Julien Pretot
DOHA (Reuters) -Several France players have caught colds, the French Football Federation said, as they prepare for the World Cup final against Argentina, with Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate the latest to fall ill on Friday.
Centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco with the illness.
Coach Didier Deschamps refused to panic after Wednesday’s game and said they were being careful to ensure the illness did not spread.
Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: “There’s a little flu that’s been spreading but nothing serious. They’ll be well soon and be ready for Sunday.”
A French press officer added: “As you know, Randal is not a doctor, we will communicate about it later.”
Kolo Muani said the players who fell ill had been isolated.
“Those who are sick stay in their room, they’re being taken care of by the doctors and we’ve been enforcing social distancing. We’re very strict about it,” he said.
Forward Ousmane Dembele said: “We’re not scared of that virus. Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache, I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
“Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We’ve been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day.”
Deschamps was confident both Upamecano and Rabiot would be fit for Sunday’s showdown at the Lusail Stadium.
“Dayot will be fit. Since Saturday he wasn’t well for three days … had a fever and that had an impact on his strength,” he said on Wednesday.
“Given the tough match we had I decided not to play him and play Konate instead as he’s shown he’s good enough to play at this level.
“Rabiot was sick, was better this afternoon but not well enough so he stayed in the hotel. We have four days to rest so he should be better and available for Sunday.”
Should Konate and Varane be out, however, Deschamps would face a difficult selection decision, as he would be without two of his top three defenders.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
