"The tests carried out this week with Luka Karabatic were not conclusive", specifies the FFHB.
"The pivotal Olympic champion will therefore miss Euro-2022" which will be played from January 13 to 30 in Hungary and Slovakia.
Injured at the beginning of December, the vice-captain of the Blues had all the same been summoned for the preparation course at the House of handball in Créteil, from December 26 to 30.
"Luka was subjected to an evaluation protocol allowing a gradual recovery. But he felt a point in his right thigh," says the Federation.
Two weeks before the start of the competition, the Blues thus lose one of their executives.
The defensive hinge of pivots that he formed with Ludovic Fabregas had been one of the keys to the strength of the Blues during their victory at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
His package is in addition to those of Nedim Remili and Timothey N'Guessan.
Luka's brother Nikola Karabatic, triple Olympic champion and French handball star, infected with the coronavirus, is still absent.
To replace Luka Karabatic, the staff of the Blues summoned Theo Monar (HBC Nantes) who will join the House of handball on Sunday, after having "complied with the health protocol".
Nicolas Tournat, Olympic champion in Tokyo as the third pivot, should benefit from more playing time.
© 2021 AFP