France Centre Backs Struck Down by Virus, Two Days Before the World Cup Final

Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate have become the latest France players to catch a virus that is sweeping through the defending World Cup champions ahead of Sunday's final with Argentina.

Varane, of Manchester United, and Liverpool defender Konate both played as Didier Deschamps' team beat Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday night to set up this weekend's final with Argentina.

However, it is understood that both centre backs woke up with mild cold and flu symptoms on Friday morning and will now be isolated and monitored over the next 24 hours.

Another defender, Dayot Upamecano, and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, went down with the illness earlier this week and missed the semi-final. Reserve winger Kingsley Coman has also been sick.

France manager Didier Deschamps explained the situation on Thursday, telling reporters: 'Coman had a fever this morning. 'We have had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so that it does not spread. 

'The players have put in a great effort on the pitch and obviously their immune systems have suffered.

'Dayot Upamecano felt bad right after the game against England. It happens when you exert yourself so much, you are more prone to getting these viruses. We're taking all the necessary precautions.'

Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France's second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: 'There's a little flu that's been spreading but nothing serious. They'll be well soon and be ready for Sunday.'

A French press officer added: 'As you know, Randal is not a doctor, we will communicate about it later.'

Kolo Muani said the players who fell ill had been isolated.

'Those who are sick stay in their room, they're being taken care of by the doctors and we've been enforcing social distancing. We're very strict about it,' he said.

Forward Ousmane Dembele said: 'We're not scared of that virus. Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache, I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.

'Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We've been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day.'

The French camp have put the sickness bug down to the air conditioning in Qatar that is being used to keep players, staff and fans cool in the blistering heat.

They are not the first team to complain about this, after Brazil and Manchester United star Antony also raised the issue and the affect it was having on his side earlier in the tournament.

Meanwhile, fans have also complained about air conditioning inside the tournament's various stadiums, revealing that they have had to wear jumpers to keep warm when attending matches. 

Just days after supporters raised concerns about air conditioning, it was confirmed that World Cup chiefs turned it off an hour before England's group match against the USA which ended in a drab goalless draw.

Several England players then complained afterwards that it was too hot inside the stadium during the game. 

Deschamps now faces an anxious wait to see whether either Varane or Konate will recover in time with the final just 48 hours away. 

If the pair are unable to take to the pitch, this could see Upamecano come back in, while Arsenal's William Saliba would be another option.

Jules Kounde could also move inside having played as a right-back in Qatar, but this would likely lead to a major re-shuffle at the back, with either Benjamin Pavard or Axel Disasi coming in at full-back. 

There has been talk of a return to the France squad for striker Karim Benzema after the injured Ballon D'Or winger returned to fitness. This is yet to be confirmed or denied by the France Football Federation.