By Anne-Elise Carreau
End of the suspense. It was time for the Euro to emerge from June 11 with lists of selected who should flow in the coming weeks. On this point, the coaches were heard by UEFA. They will be able to summon 26 players but only 23 players will be listed on the match sheets for each match, in accordance with football laws governed by the International Board (Ifab). The remaining 3 players will watch the matches from the stands. An opportunity to summon more players for nations with a dense pool, but which will force the staff to lead larger numbers throughout the competition. Sacred dilemma.
Lists of 26, match sheets of 23
The coaches have until 1 June to communicate their list to UEFA, but may, upon medical attestation, replace a player in the event of "
serious injury or illness
". Players who test positive or isolated contact cases fall into the category of "
serious illness".
Didier Deschamps, who will reveal his list on May 18, will therefore have until June 15, date of the Blues' first match against Germany, to replace an injured or sick player from the Covid. Note that a replaced player on the list cannot be reinstated subsequently. Another rule applies only for goalies. These can be replaced before each match "
in the event of physical incapacity, even if one or two goalkeepers on the list are still available."
A request from some breeders
Roberto Mancini and Roberto Martinez, coaches of Italy and Belgium, were the first to position themselves in favor of this extended list.
Asked at the last meeting of the Blues, Didier Deschamps estimated that going to 26 players
"would be a good thing, provided they can all be on the scoresheet".
Stressing that it was also necessary to think about the fatigue of the players at the end of the season.
These “special rules” linked to the pandemic are intended to guarantee “
the smooth running and continuity
” of the Euro.
UEFA specifies that it does not plan to perpetuate the list at 26. At the end of March, the European body had authorized up to five changes of players per match and per team, a measure already in place in many other competitions. .
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