Lyon have been forced to take the unusual step of having to confirm that Mathieu Valbuena is still among the living.
After not making the squad for Saturday’s win over Toulouse, a macabre rumour rippled around Twitter that the pint-sized midfielder had shuffled off this mortal coil at the age of 32.
Thankfully, it proved to be nothing more than a silly hoax, but the club still felt the need to address the tittle-tattle with a brief statement confirming that Valbuena is still very much alive.
Mathieu Valbuena est heureusement bien vivant contrairement à ce que d’ignobles individus colportent sur twitter. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/AP6TlFgEJg
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) October 31, 2016
L’Olympique Lyonnais est horrifié devant de tels agissement honteux et inhumains. (2/2)
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) October 31, 2016
The translated message reads thus:
Mathieu Valbuena is fortunately alive contrary to what vile individuals peddle on Twitter.
Olympique Lyonnais is horrified of such a shameful and inhuman act.
Quite right.