Garcia blames Belgium’s doctors for World Cup struggles

Aug 17 : Belgium's World Cup coach Rudi Garcia says their efforts at the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States were hampered by their medical team.

Garcia did not have his contract renewed after the World Cup and, in his first interview since, blamed the team's medical staff for setbacks that he claimed led to an unconvincing tournament, even if Belgium got to the quarter-finals.

"We put our World Cup at risk due to certain injuries and illnesses that were not handled correctly," he told the Brussels newspaper Le Soir on Monday.

Belgium started the tournament in unimpressive style with draws against Egypt and Iraq before a 5-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver helped them top their group on goal difference. They then had to come back against Senegal to advance to the last 16, where they had their best game of the tournament against the United States.

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku was expected to be a key part of the campaign, but struggled with illness and ended up in the emergency room during the World Cup with fluid on his lungs.

"A week earlier, at my insistence, we had managed to arrange an appointment for a scan," Garcia said.

"The doctor didn't think the scan was necessary because he had given Jeremy antibiotics. Jeremy felt better and ultimately didn't want to go himself either. But six days later, he spent the night in the emergency room."

OTHER INJURIES

Garcia also cited the injuries of captain Youri Tielemans, Charles De Ketelaere, and Zeno Debast during the tournament. There was no immediate reaction from the Belgian football association.

But Garcia felt, despite the setbacks, he did a good job in the post and repeatedly emphasised in the interview that he left without resentment.

"I came for a