LUXEMBOURG coach Luc Holtz said that fan protests over domestic abuser Gerson Rodrigues’ inclusion are not a distraction.
The Grand Duchy boss had faced criticism for selecting Rodrigues who was found guilty of three assault and battery charges, including one for assaulting his former girlfriend.
The three incidents – two involving altercations with males outside nightclubs – all happened in 2022 and were tried as one case.
Rodrigues continues to deny he assaulted his former partner, but lost an appeall against a €1,500 and suspended 18 month sentence in March.
He has continued to be picked by Holtz with the backing of the Luxembourg FA.
But it has led to sustained criticism in Luxembourg, and a protest during Friday night’s loss to Slovenia when heavy handed security removed a fan banner.
The Luxembourg FA have subsequently apologised for that, but have reaffirmed that Rodrigues can be selected.
Holtz largely avoided questions on the issue at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Ireland game, with his press officer reaffirming the Luxembourg FA’s position.
PRO Marc Diederich said: “The reason that the board of the Federation allowed the coach to select him was because he had his punishment from the court of Luxembourg.
“The court is the only instance that can punish people, it’s not for the public or the journalists or you to give him a second punishment, he has been punished by the court.
“He can do everything, he can go to the supermarket, he can play in this team, that’s why he is selected, there are lots of examples in other countries.”
When asked did that sent the wrong message, or that it is okay, he said: “No, it’s not ok, no one says it’s ok to beat up a woman.
“But he has had a second chance, we said clearly to him it should never happen again.”
While Holtz largely stayed silent when questioned about Rodrigues, he did insist that none of the criticism or protests will distract his team.
He said: “The focus from the team is only on the pitch, all that is not the pitch does not distract the players.
“The focus is on the pitch, everything is not the pitch, on the tribunes, outside should not distract the team, did not distract the team.”
And he believes that taking on Ireland is a perfect warm-up game for their World Cup qualification opener with Northern Ireland on September 4.
Holtz said: “It will be a very good test, both Ireland and Northern Ireland have physically very strong players, play a high intensity in the game.
“The mentality is quite close between Ireland and Northern Ireland, it is perfect preparation for the match in September.”
But Holtz is also familiar with Ireland as the two sides met in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, losing 3-0 at home but winning 1-0 in Dublin, when Rodrigues scored the winner.
And Holtz insisted that the only difference between then, and now, is that both teams are now more experienced.
He said: “The team did not change so much since ‘21, only a few new young players, the other ones have got more experience, and more confident.
“The football is the same in 2021 and 2025. Maybe we have more experience, that’s the only difference.”
