France are fighting a virus that has swept through their squad ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina.
Raphaël Varane and Ibrahima Konaté fell ill on Friday morning, both having started the semifinal against Morocco, and are struggling to be fully fit for Sunday’s (Monday NZ time) game.
Manchester United’s Varane and Liverpool’s Konaté have been isolating in their rooms with France imposing social distancing measures at their team hotel to try and limit the impact of the virus.
Another defender, Dayot Upamecano, and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, went down with the illness, suffering from flu-like symptoms, headaches and upset stomachs, and missed the semifinal. Kingsley Coman has also been sick.
The more likely explanation is that the bug has been contracted in the way that many people have fallen ill in Qatar during the tournament.
Air-conditioning in stadiums, hotels and training facilities has been blamed in some quarters while earlier in the World Cup players, including the Brazil squad and, in particular United winger Antony, complained of sore throats and coughs.
