Luxembourg Lose Slovenia Friendly Marked by Protest Over Rodrigues' Inclusion

On Friday 6 June 2025, Luxembourg’s men’s national football team played the first of two friendly matches scheduled for June 2025, facing Slovenia in front of 7,508 spectators at the Stade de Luxembourg.

While some teams started their qualifying campaigns for the 2026 FIFA World Cup yesterday evening - i.e. those in five-team groups - others, such as Luxembourg who were drawn in Europe Group A along with Germany, Northern Ireland and Slovakia, arranged a number of friendly matches during the June international break; next Tuesday, Luxembourg hosts the Republic of Ireland who drew 1-1 with Senegal yesterday evening.

Ahead of the match, a group of activists from CID Fraen an Gender, a Luxembourg-based feminist organisation focused on gender equality, women’s rights and education, gathered outside the stadium to protest the inclusion of Gerson Rodrigues in Luxembourg’s national team.

Holding banners, the group expressed their opposition to the decision. Maxime Miltgen, a member of CID Fraen an Gender, talked with Chronicle.lu and explained: “So actually it's the initiative of CID Fraen an Gender. So just to say no to that decision of the FLF, to decide to give a platform or the opportunity to somebody who beat up his girlfriend and was judged for that, to play for our country and represent our country.”

The off-field issues had dominated the build-up to the game, with a journalist in another publication being excluded from a press event by the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) for apparently criticising Gerson Rodrigues' inclusion in the squad for the two games, on the basis that the player had received a suspended sentence in March on charges of domestic abuse. This highlighted both the issue of domestic abuse and press freedom. In addition to the small protest outside the Stade de Luxembourg before the game, security staff inside the stadium were seen removing a banner "Rout kaart fir gewalt geint fraen" (Red card for violence against women).

Midway through the first half, the group of supporters holding red cards left the stands. Following the match, it was reported that one of the protesters sustained an injury during an altercation with stewards. When questioned about the incident at the post-match press conference, Luxembourg head coach Luc Holtz stated: “I don't know nothing because I'm focused on the game and I don't see anything.” The team's press officer offered a similar response.

Luxembourg (seeded #91 at FIFA) faced Slovenia, (ranked #51). Luxembourg's next opponents, the Republic of Ireland, are ranked #60.

Meanwhile, Luxembourg head coach Luc Holtz had included Rodrigues in the starting line-up. The star player created the first dangerous chance of the match in the fourth minute, firing a shot from the left edge of the penalty area, which Slovenia goalkeeper Igor Vekic deflected for a corner.

A few minutes later, Luxembourg won a free kick on the right wing near the visitors’ goal, but the resulting cross failed to lead to a shot on target.

On the half hour, Luxembourg goalkeeper Tiago Pereira, starting in place of regular keeper Anthony Moris, was called into action twice following consecutive corners from Slovenia, first from the left and then from the right.

In the 40th minute, the referee issued two yellow cards. Slovenia’s Sandro Lovrić was booked for a dangerous challenge on Danel Sinani, while Luxembourg defender Seid Korac received a caution for his reaction.

Just before teh half-time break, Slovenia took the lead in the 44th minute when midfielder Tamar Svetlin scored with a backheel finish following a low cross from the right. The first half ended with Slovenia leading 1-0.

Shortly after the break, Slovenia created an early chance as goalscorer Tamar Svetlin struck from the edge of the box, but his shot went straight into the hands of the Luxembourg goalkeeper.

In the 51st minute, Gerson Rodrigues fired a dangerous free kick from around 25 metres out, with the ball narrowly missing the post. He attempted another shot just two minutes later, this time a curling effort from the corner of the penalty area, but again it was off target.

Between those two chances, Slovenia found the net for a second time, but the goal by Blaž Kramer was disallowed for offside after the assistant referee raised the flag.
In the 57th minute, Luxembourg head coach Luc Holtz made a double substitution, bringing on Michael Pinto and Brian Madjo in place of Eldin Dzogovic and Aiman Dardari.
Just five minutes later, Dzogovic picked up a yellow card for a foul on Erik Janza on Slovenia’s left attacking flank, just a few metres outside the penalty area.

In the 65th minute, Dardari created a dangerous opportunity. Breaking free from two defenders on the left wing, he cut inside and fired a low shot that went just wide of the post.

Two minutes later, following a low cross from Laurent Jans on the left, Gerson Rodrigues attempted to steer the ball into the net, but Slovenia goalkeeper Igor Vekic reacted with a key save.

In the 70th minute, Luxembourg made another double substitution, with Leandro Barreiro and Florian Bohnert making way for brothers Sébastien and Vincent Thill.

Just four minutes later, Gerson Rodrigues earned a free kick and a yellow card for Slovenia defender Vanja Drkusic. Rodrigues stepped up to take the set piece himself but sent the ball several metres over the crossbar, prompting frustrated jeers and whistles from the crowd.

Three minutes after that, Luxembourg captain Laurent Jans delivered a dangerous cross to the far post, but none of the Red Lions' attackers were able to make a shot on target.

In the following ten minutes, both teams exchanged attacks without creating any clear-cut chances. In the 87th minute, Luxembourg earned a free kick, which Dirk Carlson headed on target, but the ball went straight to where Slovenian goalkeeper Igor Vekic was positioned.

A minute later, Carlson was replaced by Alessio Curci. However, neither he nor his teammates managed to change the score before the final whistle. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Slovenia.

At the post-match press conference, Luxembourg head coach Luc Holtz stated that the situation being discussed in the media had not affected the team: “I haven’t heard any discussion about one of the topics. They are doing well and prepared for the match very seriously. They are really focused on training, on what happened, on this match. I don’t even know if they are really aware of what happened.”

IK / ED