France coach Didier Deschamps won’t attend Saturday’s draw for next year’s European Championship after undergoing surgery.
The French federation said in a statement Friday that Deschamps was operated on earlier this week after suffering back pain for several weeks. France will instead be represented by assistant coach Guy Stephan.
“It was not a light-hearted decision that I decided not to go to the draw,” Deschamps said. “It’s always a pleasant moment, during which I really enjoy chatting with my counterparts. But wisdom dictated a few days’ rest.”
Tournament host Germany and France, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and England are in Pot 1 for the 24-team draw in Hamburg.
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Reporting by The Associated Press.
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