After Real Madrid and its cousin Atlético, it is the turn of a French club to show its hostility at seeing several of its players participate in the Paris Olympics outside of Fifa dates. This Wednesday at a press conference, the Breton club showed itself opposed to the idea of seeing its group cut off some young players under the age of 23 who would join the Olympic selection led by Thierry Henry this summer.
Asked about the possibility of seeing 3 or 4 of his players selected with the Bleuets for the Paris Olympics (from July 26 to August 11), coach Julien Stephan was not really opposed to it even if he was asked about the consequences of reduced preparation and shorter vacations for his selected players.
Florian Maurice, the technical director of the Breton club, showed his opposition. “I have an answer, no,” declared the former international striker. Indeed, you can understand that releasing four regular players from Stade Rennais in a competition which is indeed fantastic… But you also have to understand the clubs. »
During the Bleuets’ two friendly matches against Ivory Coast last Friday (3-2) then the United States (2-2) on Monday, Thierry Henry used three Rennes players: Adrien Truffert, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Désiré Doué. “Obviously we will do the best we can to help the French team,” adds Florian Maurice. But interests must be common. We cannot undress to necessarily dress the French team. Even if I have a lot of affection for the France Espoirs team or for the France A team. It’s difficult for us and we have to understand that. »
The former Lyon striker concludes: “I don’t know how we’re going to be able to think about it but, indeed, we have to understand that for clubs supplying U23 internationals it’s not that simple. »
