Luxembourg Under-21 Bus Crash in France Injures Five Players

The Luxembourg Under-21 football squad was involved in a bus accident while en route to a Euro 2027 qualifier in France, resulting in five individuals requiring hospital treatment on September 29, 2023. The Luxembourg Football Federation confirmed that all affected individuals have since been discharged after receiving necessary medical care.

The accident occurred between Lorient and Pontivy in western France. According to the bus company, the driver fell ill, causing the vehicle to veer off course and enter a ditch. This unfortunate event took place as the team was returning from a training session to their hotel.

Support from Football Federations

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, expressed his solidarity with the Luxembourg delegation, stating, “We show all our support and we hope for a quick recovery to the members of the Luxembourg delegation who were hurt and shocked, as well as the driver of the bus.”

The scheduled match for that evening has been postponed and is now set to take place on October 3, 2024. Both federations are coordinating to ensure the safety and well-being of the players and staff involved.

Driver’s Background and Safety Checks

The bus driver, a 53-year-old with nine years of experience in this role, reportedly has no history of traffic accidents. The bus company stated that the driver had recently undergone medical tests, which were satisfactory. Additionally, both alcohol and drug tests conducted after the incident returned negative results. The vehicle itself had successfully passed a technical inspection in July 2023.

As the investigation continues, both the Luxembourg Football Federation and the French authorities are prioritizing the health of those affected and are committed to ensuring that all safety protocols are upheld moving forward.