Rapinoe chooses not to replay, coach "disappointed and frustrated"

Women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe will not participate in the Challenge Cup organized in Utah by the North American League (NSWL) in late June, because of the coronavirus, announced Farid Benstiti, French coach of OL Reign , Seattle club owned by OL Groupe where the American striker plays. "Too bad. I understand her motivations but I am disappointed and frustrated that she is not with us to compete in this tournament, "said Farid Benstiti, quoted by the Lyon regional daily Le Progrès .

“Megan is important to the group. She will be greatly missed by the team but also by women's football "

The persistent health crisis in the United States, fears of being transmitted the virus, as well as the number of matches (25) scheduled over a month convinced the 34-year-old striker to abstain, the French daily said on Thursday. “Megan is important to the group and we could have accomplished something important with the club, if she had joined the rest of the group. She will be greatly missed by the team but also by women’s football, ”he said.

Participation on a voluntary basis

According to Le Progrès , Rapinoe is not the only American international to have decided to forfeit this competition set up by the NWSL when the championship still could not start in the United States because of the coronavirus pandemic . The participation in the Challenge Cup being done on a voluntary basis for all players of the NWSL, the winner of the last Women's Ballon d'Or does not expose itself to any financial consequences.

The tournament, which will involve the nine NWSL clubs, will take place behind closed doors from June 27 to July 26 in Utah, Herriman and in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. According to the protocols provided, each player, staff member and official will be tested 48 hours before leaving for Utah and then upon arrival, and will be subjected to other tests, temperature readings and a symptom examination throughout along the tournament.

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