While a waiver has been granted to the internationals for the international break, ASSE remains firm. Consequently, only one element of Claude Puel could honor the appointments of his selection.
An exemption granted to internationals outside the EU
The decision of the LFP to retain internationals outside the EU during the next international truce had given rise to tensions. This was particularly the case with Antonio Conceiçao. The Cameroon coach had a rant as he will be deprived of Lensois Ignatius Ganago, Angevin Stéphane Bahoken and Stéphanois Harold Moukoudi and Yvan Neyou, among others. In view of the criticisms, the Ministry of Sports finally granted an exemption to these internationals under certain conditions. “Internationals returning from official competition outside the EU with their national, French or foreign team are exempt from the septaine as long as compliance with a strict health and medical protocol is guaranteed [bulle + test PCR quotidien au retour en club]. They will therefore be able to train and play without a seven-day deadline, “the ministry said.
A delicate situation at ASSE
Despite the relaxation of the ministry, AS Saint-Étienne does not intend to easily give up its internationals concerned. In particular, ASSE sets a condition to be able to release those who must leave the European Union. As an official from Saint-Etienne indicated at Progress, “Players must take a private flight” to join their selections. It is therefore important for the selections concerned to take charge of the travel of the summoned players. But as the regional newspaper assures, to date, only the Gabonese Denis Bouanga could leave the State during the international break. “Only Denis Bouanga, whose Gabon is in discussion to charter a private plane to his players, could leave the Loire”, we can read. So to say that his African teammates such as Tunisian Wahbi Khazri, Senegalese Pape Cissé and Cameroonians Moukoudi and Neyou should stay in Forez.