In Clairefontaine, for two weeks, 23 athletes have been eagerly taking on the heavy physical program concocted by Thierry Henry and his staff. However, one of them will have to leave the group, excluded from a list that can only contain 22 names (18 players and 4 reserves). This list must be sent to FIFA on Wednesday, which will keep it confidential. The body will forward it to the CNOSF to verify that it meets the set criteria – only three players born before January 1, 2001 are authorized, a formality – and to approve it. Its officialization and publication are scheduled for Monday.
It is on this date that the player left behind should, logically, leave the group. The staff had not yet designated the unfortunate player this Tuesday, or at least had not transmitted its choice to the main person concerned, according to our information. Some appear, clearly, more protected than others.
Loïc Badé, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Alexandre Lacazette, the three men over 23 allowed by Olympic rules, will be there. As will Obed Nkambadio and Guillaume Restes, the two goalkeepers. Théo De Percin, the third goalkeeper who arrived along the way to compensate for Robin Risser’s withdrawal, will be among the four reserves.
The reserves will remain with the group
With only five forwards called up in the pre-list, there is little chance that any of them will be ousted. The next step is to look at the 15 midfielders and defenders. The player left out is likely to be among them, while three others are expected to become reserves from Wednesday.
The latter will remain with the group for the entire duration of the Games, to cover any injuries or withdrawals. The only difference with the others will be their non-inscription on the match sheets. And in the major fact that if they do not integrate at any time the main list, they will not benefit from a potential medal.
