Luxembourg Under-21 Bus Crash: Five Hospitalized Before Euro Qualifier

Rennes, France: The Luxembourg Under-21 football squad was involved in a serious bus accident while en route to a Euro 2027 qualifier. The incident occurred between Lorient and Pontivy in western France, resulting in five individuals requiring hospital treatment, as confirmed by both the Luxembourg and French football federations on Friday.

According to the Luxembourg Football Federation, all five individuals have since been discharged after receiving medical care. The bus crash transpired when the driver, who fell ill, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer into a ditch.

Support for the Injured and Rescheduling of Match

In a statement addressing the incident, Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, expressed his concern: “We show all our support and we hope for a quick recovery for the members of the Luxembourg delegation who were hurt and shocked, as well as the driver of the bus.”

The match originally scheduled for today has been rescheduled to October 3, 2024. The bus was transporting the team from a training session back to their hotel when the accident occurred.

The bus company reported that the driver, a 53-year-old who has been in the position for nine years, has an unblemished record concerning traffic incidents. They noted that his recent medical examinations were satisfactory and that both alcohol and drug tests conducted after the accident returned negative results. Furthermore, the vehicle had passed a technical inspection in July 2025.

This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of travel during competitive sports events, bringing to the forefront the importance of safety protocols for teams and their staff. The Luxembourg Under-21 squad will be focusing on recovery and preparation for their upcoming match as they navigate the aftermath of this distressing experience.