Cody Gakpo, Sven Botman among five to pull out of Netherlands squad with viral infection
Due to a viral infection, five members of the Netherlands team had to depart from the squad before their first Euro 2024 qualifying match against France in Paris on Friday.
The Dutch federation verified on Thursday that Sven Botman, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, Joey Veerman, and Bart Verbruggen all withdrew from the training camp.
No additional information was given about the virus they were referring to. Coach Ronald Koeman has suffered another setback with the injuries of Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn from Ajax earlier in the week.
Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, and Vitesse Arnhem’s Kjell Scherpen have been chosen as substitutes.
Koeman is set to lead the national team once again, starting with their upcoming game in Paris on Friday.
This marks his return after previously leaving the Dutch setup in 2020 to join Barcelona.
He officially resumed his role as coach in January, and after the game in France, the team will have a home game against Gibraltar on Monday, which should be an easier match.
Cody Gakpo, Sven Botman among five to pull out of Netherlands squad with viral infection
