Luxembourg won't be distracted by Gerson Rodrigues controversy against Ireland says manager

The striker has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after being convicted of three assault offences.

CONTROVERSIAL: Gerson Rodrigues during a Luxembourg training session at the Stade de Luxembourg. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Luc Holtz insists his Luxembourg side are not distracted by the ongoing controversy over Gerson Rodrigues ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Ireland.

The striker – who scored the winner in a 2021 World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road – has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after being convicted of three assault offences, including against his former girlfriend Emily Boland. His appeal against the sentence was rejected.

Rodrigues’s presence in the team for Friday’s defeat against Slovenia prompted protests from a section of supporters, with banners confiscated.

Although the Luxembourg federation issued an apology on Monday for the heavy-handedness of security, outlining their position on Rodrigues in a long statement, the manager batted away questions about the episode on the eve of facing Ireland.

“Nothing interests this team,” Holtz said of the media storm still swirling around Luxembourg and beyond.

“The focus is on the pitch. Everything not on the pitch, in the stands, outside should not distract this team.”

Pressed further on the matter, in particular why the manager continues to select a player convicted of such a serious crime, the federation media officer Marc Diederich intervened.

“The reason the federation allows the manager to pick the player is because the punishment came from the court,” he contended on the basis of double jeopardy.

“It is not a reason for the public or the journalists to give him a second punishment for the same thing.

“He did not go to prison and is free to do everything, including go to the supermarket. He could play for the club and national team.

“There are similar examples of players who continued to play after conviction, including Lucas Hernandez.

“Nobody says it is okay to bother a woman. Our player is getting a second chance and we have said this can never happen again.”

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Rodrigues, who has just completed his eight loan spell away from parent club Dynamo Kyiv, will spearhead their attack at the Stade de Luxembourg in what is their final friendly before the World Cup qualifiers kick off in September.

First up in a group that includes Germany and Slovakia is Northern Ireland.

Just like arranging a friendly against Slovakia’s neighbours Slovenia, there's a purpose to undertaking a dry run against Ireland.

“It will be a very good test because both Ireland and Northern Ireland are physically very strong players,” said Holtz, embracing the stereotypes.

“They high intensity in the game. The mentality is quite close between Ireland and Northern Ireland so this is perfect preparation for the match in September.”

Holtz’s first magic moment of his five-year spell at the helm came in an Covid-19 enforced empty Lansdowne Road in 2021 but Ireland exacted revenge by running out 3-0 victors in the return.

“The team did not change so much since 2021, only a few new young players being added,” he summarised as the difference between the team led by Stephen Kenny against what he’ll be confronted by under Heimir Hallgrimsson.

“Ireland’s other players have now got more experience and confidence but football is the same in 2021 and 2025. Maybe we have more experience too.”