Switzerland lost FIFA World Cup Round of 16 to Portugal 6-1©AFP
Switzerland’s team chiefs denied on Wednesday that several sick players were suffering from the coronavirus as they tried to explain their humiliation at the hands of Portugal at the World Cup. At least three players were affected in their 6-1 defeat in the eighth finals on Tuesday. Coach Murat Yakin said on Tuesday that Silvan Widmer was suffering from “fever” and “cold symptoms”, Fabian Schaer was replaced at half-time because he was struggling with shortness of breath and Nico Elvedi, who did not play, was “not 100 per cent”. .
Sports director Pierluigi Tami told a press conference on Wednesday: “It was not a question of Covid. It was a virus that spread in the hotel. Not all of them, but some players caught it.
“We knew about the problem (the virus) and had made recommendations to the team. It wasn’t a problem at first.
“Of course we will see if we can do better in the future.”
Several Swiss players have suffered from what team management have dubbed “colds” during the World Cup.
“We lacked freshness. Unfortunately, we had several players who were sick or struggling and our opponents were stronger,” said Yakin after the game.
The coach blamed the defeat on the “energy” spent in the first three games.
Portugal will play against Morocco in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
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