Near-infrared spectra of the two candidate companions. Despite the low signal-to-noise ratio, it is clear that none of the objects displays the strong absorption features due to H₂O and possibly CH₄ expected from photospheres colder than those of the primary sources. The featureless slope with no hints of H₂O absorption bands indicates temperatures above 3500 K, demonstrating that both objects are normal stars located beyond the Chamaeleon I clouds and casually aligned along the line of sight to ESO-Hα-558 and ESO-Hα-566.