It is a symbolic number: 180. It is the number of matches played in the shirt of Girondins of Bordeaux what Benoit Costil might reach for? Losc this Saturday (7 pm) at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. Yes “could”, because today we still wonder if we will see the international goalkeeper in the navy white tunic again after the violent incidents of the last game against Montpellier (0-2) at Matmut Atlantic. The former club captain, who was spurred on by the Virage Sud after a collision with a teammate, also got into a heated argument with one of the leaders of the Ultramarines during halftime before being outright accused of racism by the same group of supporters during and after the game.
Since, Benoitt Costil decided to file a complaint for defamation and/or defamation. The rift is therefore total between the two parties. A reconciliation seems utopian. So, how to do? Can the Girondins field a player who will be booed and whistled for every ball by some of their most ardent supporters as the club struggles to survive in Ligue 1 in the last nine games of the season? Could we witness new overflows at the next home game against Metz if Benoit Costil holds out (note that the US lower grandstand will be closed for this meeting)?
Costil finally available?
These questions may never have arisen. Indeed, under the influence of emotion, at the end of the meeting against Montpellier, the Bordeaux goalkeeper had announced to several employees and teammates that he would soon leave the club on his own, as it turned out 20 minutes† But after a few hours of thinking, Benoit Costil wasn’t so radical anymore. The day after the events, he met Admar Lopes, the technical director, with his representative to discuss the situation and think about his future.
By mutual agreement with the club, he played the friendly against Alavès that was scheduled during the international match, not to ease the tension. According to our information, he says he is now at the disposal of the Girondins de Bordeaux like any employee. Does this mean he really wants to play for the Marine et Blanc again? It’s harder to say.
The club pretends nothing
On the management side, it has been (or almost) radio silence since the incidents. There was no public response from a leader but a simple “statement” [déclaration] with certain media, recalling in particular the club’s attachment to the presumption of innocence. It is therefore also difficult here to really know what his position is in the Benoit Costil case and how the management wants to manage the case now.
According to information from 20 minutes, in any case, it would not have rejected Costil’s participation in the next Girondins matches, as was the case with Paul Baysse before the latter recently returned to the squad full-time pro. “Benoit is still part of the group, he is available to the coach and as usual it will be up to the coach to decide before the game,” said a club member. In any case, Benoit Costil was in the team of the holders (such as Paul Baysse and Issouf Sissokho) during practice at Matmut Atlantique this Wednesday which looked like a set-up three days before the trip to Lille.
What reaction from the Ultramarines?
For once, the largest group of Bordeaux supporters is not in hiding. The Ultramarines have repeated their allegations several times over ten days and have even published a lengthy three-page statement explaining their actions over the international. For them, the goalkeeper carried out “the worst offense a player’s South Turn has seen since inception” by insinuating that the Ultramarines were “sold” in exchange for the new management.
This Tuesday, the group confirmed via its Twitter account that the requested investigation is in full swing: “A week ago, we asked the club for a prompt and thorough investigation. We know it’s diligent and expect an explanation soon. †
