It’s a symbolic figure: 180. It’s the number of matches played in the jersey of Girondins of Bordeaux that Benoit Costil could reach against Losc this Saturday (7 p.m.) at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. Yes “could” because today we still wonder if we will see the international goalkeeper again wearing the navy and white tunic after the violent incidents of the last match against Montpellier (0-2) at Matmut Atlantic. Taken to task by the Virage Sud after a clash with a teammate, the former club captain also had a heated argument with one of the leaders of the Ultramarines at halftime of the match before being outright accused of racism by this same group of supporters during and after the match.
Since, Benoit Costil decided to file a complaint for defamation and/or slanderous denunciation. The break is therefore total between the two parties. A reconciliation seems utopian. So, how to do ? Can the Girondins field a player who will be booed and whistled by some of their most fervent supporters with every ball as the club play their way to survival in Ligue 1 in the last nine games of the season? Can we witness new overflows during the next home match against Metz if Benoit Costil holds (note that the lower stand of VS will be closed for this meeting)?
Costil finally available?
These questions might never have arisen. Indeed, the Bordeaux goalkeeper under the influence of emotion had announced at the end of the meeting against Montpellier to several employees and teammates that he was quickly going to leave the club on his own as revealed 20 Minutes. But after a few hours of reflection, Benoit Costil was no longer so radical. The day after the events, he met Admar Lopes, the technical director, with his representative to discuss the situation and think about his future.
By mutual agreement with the club, he did not play the friendly match against Alavès scheduled during the international break to ease the tension. According to our information, he now says he is at the disposal of the Girondins de Bordeaux like any employee. Does this mean that he really wants to play again for the Marine et Blanc? It’s harder to say.
The club pretends nothing
On the management side, it has been radio silence (or almost) since the incidents. There was no public reaction from a leader but a simple “statement [déclaration] with certain media, where the club recalls in particular that it is attached to the presumption of innocence. It is therefore difficult here too to really know what his position is on the Benoit Costil case and how the management now intends to manage the affair.
According to information from 20 Minutes, in any case, it would not have vetoed Costil’s participation in the next Girondins matches, as was the case with Paul Baysse before the latter recently returned to the squad full-time pro. “Benoit is still part of the group, he is available to the coach and as usual, it will be up to the coach to decide for the match”, slips a member of the club. Benoit Costil was in any case in the team of the holders (like Paul Baysse and Issouf Sissokho) during training at Matmut Atlantique this Wednesday which looked like a set-up three days before the trip to Lille.
What reaction from the Ultramarines?
For once, the largest group of Bordeaux supporters is not hiding. The Ultramarines have repeated their allegations several times for ten days and even published a long three-page statement to explain their actions about the international. For them, the goalkeeper carried out “the worst offense that the South Turn has known from a player since its creation” by insinuating that the Ultramarines were “sold” in the pay of the new management.
This Tuesday, the group via its Twitter account affirms that the investigation it demanded is well underway: “A week ago, we asked the club for a rapid and rigorous investigation. We know that it is diligent and expect explanations quickly. »
