As reported by L’Équipe, Ligue 2 club Grenoble have dismissed striker Jordan Tell for taking part in Guadeloupe’s Gold Cup campaign this summer, and not reporting back on time for the start of pre-season training.
The 26-year-old had been allowed to take part in the tournament qualifiers during his time off. However, the French overseas region then made it to the tournament proper – in their Group D campaign, they notably held Canada to a draw and beat Cuba 4-1.
The second-tier French club have explained to L’Équipe that although the Gold Cup is indeed an official competition, the Guadeloupe team is not recognised by FIFA. The club had asked Tell and Matthias Phaëton (who has since been sold to CSKA Sofia) to return in time for the start of pre-season, which both refused to do.
Tell, who scored four goals last season and recently renewed his contract, has since seen his contract terminated. Grenoble’s general manager Max Marty has explained that the club had sent Tell two emails and spoke to him over a call, but that “he considered Guadeloupe to be above his work contract. The club’s position is very clear, we can’t allow everything, players can’t be absent when it suits them, whether the competition interests them or not – especially when it’s not compulsory”.
Tell has received the support of the French players’ union and is considering taking Grenoble to court. He is now a free agent, and has already attracted interest from other Ligue 2 clubs.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
