Varane, Konate Miss World Cup Training for Virus-Hit France 

France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
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Varane, Konate Miss World Cup Training for Virus-Hit France 

France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)

Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté were among five France players who missed training on Friday, two days before the World Cup final against Argentina. 

The two center backs have reportedly become the latest members of the France squad to be affected by a virus, according to French media. 

Three other players — Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot and Kingsley Coman — were struck down by illness at the start of the week and had to isolate. 

Upamecano and Rabiot were back in training Friday, but Coman was still missing. Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni were also absent, French sports daily L'Equipe reported. 

France winger Ousmane Dembele said he and his teammates were not worried about key players becoming sick ahead of Sunday's final. 

“No, we are not,” Dembele said. “We are not afraid of the virus. Dayot and Adrien had a headache, a little stomach ache. 

“I made them a little tea with ginger and honey and they were better,” Dembele added, laughing. 

France forward Randal Kuolo Mani said medical staff had set up sanitary zones and players were being extra careful. 

“Those who are sick stay in their room,” Kuolo Mani said. “The doctors take good care of them, and we wash our hands. There is gel for everyone before going to the table … we shake hands with our fists. So I think we’re very, very strict on it.” 

France coach Didier Deschamps has said his players’ immune system “might be a little run down” because of the intensity of the tournament. He also noted the “use of air conditioners may also affect” how the virus is circulating. 



Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies from Cancer at Age 78

 Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talks to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, right, prior to taping a television interview for the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talks to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, right, prior to taping a television interview for the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
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Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies from Cancer at Age 78

 Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talks to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, right, prior to taping a television interview for the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talks to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, right, prior to taping a television interview for the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78.

“He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement.

In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties, The AP reported.

In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the US to call play-by-play of a major sports championship.

David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness.

“A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson.

Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998.

He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Figure Skating Championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta.

But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004.

He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.

He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.

Outside of his career as a sportscaster, Gumbel was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years.