Arsenal star William Saliba abandoned by French bus after doping error

William Saliba played the full 90 minutes as France were held to a 1-1 draw by already eliminated Poland in Dortmund, but unfortunately he was unable to leave for base camp with his teammates after the competition due to anti-doping controls.

William Saliba was abandoned by the French team bus after the 1-1 draw against Poland.(UEFA 2024)

The French team bus was forced to leave Arsenal defender William Saliba in Dortmund while waiting for the green light from doping controllers.

The colossal centre-back, who played the full 90 minutes as Poland held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Signal Iduna Park, was detained after the match to provide blood and urine samples.

However, L’Equipe reports that the France bus had to leave around 9 p.m. and that Saliba only left the stadium grounds around 10:30 p.m. after carrying out the tests and leaving in a black van. He was accompanied by members of the French technical staff and then joined his teammates at the Bad Lippspringe base camp.

Above all, French coach Didier Deschamps now allows his players to spend time with their families before the round of 16.

It is understood the families were due to meet up with the players on Tuesday evening, making the hold-up all the more frustrating for the 23-year-old.

Deschamps said: “The family breakup will really do some good. Spending time with them during this competition is important. And then we will move on to the round of 16. It will be good for morale.”

France, who finished second in Group D after Austria took first place, took the lead against Poland when Kylian Mbappe fired home from the penalty spot.

Yet Robert Lewandowski would later equalize from 12 yards despite initially seeing his own penalty saved by Mike Maignan. Lewandowski stuttered and Maignan was judged to have left his line, prompting a rebound which the Barcelona striker duly dispatched.

Kylian Mbappé scores from the penalty spot for France(Getty Images)

Deschamps added on his team’s shortcomings: “I’m not disappointed at all. Of course we wanted first place but (Lukasz Skorupski) was excellent, he saved them. You have to give credit to the goalkeeper.

“You can score two goals from two chances, but you can also have seven chances, like we did today, and not score. I would be more worried if we didn’t create any chances. We are where we are want to be. We We were in a very difficult group: Austria lost to us and won against the Netherlands We deserve to be second, it’s a new competition in the round of 16.

France will now face the finalists of Group E in the round of 16. Belgium, Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia are currently all tied on three points after two matches.

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