noelyf
VIP Member
Friday 4 June 2010
Didier Drogba
The Ivory Coast Football Federation have confirmed captain Didier Drogba has broken his arm but are still not ruling him out of the World Cup.
Drogba was forced out of the Ivorians' World Cup warm-up game against Japan in Sion on Friday in the 17th minute, leaving the field clutching his right arm.
There were fears the Chelsea striker would miss the World Cup but the federation are confident Drogba will be able to play some part in the finals.
A statement read: 'He was taken urgently to a medical centre in Sion, where x-rays revealed a fracture in the player's right forearm area.
'Didier Drogba's state of health is the object of all the attention of the Elephants' medical staff and of distinguished specialists.
'The Ivory Coast Football Federation stress that the striker Didier Drogba has not, for the moment, been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup.'
Reports suggest Drogba is currently undergoing surgery.
Earlier in the day a national federation spokesman revealed they are awaiting further medical tests but claimed Drogba could even feature when they kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal on 15 June.
'He's not at all out of the World Cup,' he told Press Association Sport. 'He can still play.
'We don't know if he will be able to play the first game - that depends on the verdict of the medical team.
'But he's definitely not out (of the tournament).'
It is nevertheless a devastating blow to Ivory Coast's hopes of qualifying from Group G which, in addition to Portugal, also contains Brazil and North Korea.
Drogba has scored 44 goals in 69 appearances for his country and hit 37 for Chelsea in all competitions as Carlo Ancelotti's men landed the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup double last season.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the game: 'It's an elbow injury for sure. How bad it is, I don't know. He had a lot of pain.'
Drogba went down clutching his arm following a challenge from Japan central defender Tulio shortly after giving the Elephants the lead.
'Of course I am worried, he's our captain and one of the best players in the world,' added former England boss Eriksson, who attached no blame to Tulio.
'It was unlucky, he didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact.'
Ivory Coast ended up winning the game against Japan 2-0 with Manchester City defender Kolo Toure adding a late second.
Didier Drogba
The Ivory Coast Football Federation have confirmed captain Didier Drogba has broken his arm but are still not ruling him out of the World Cup.
Drogba was forced out of the Ivorians' World Cup warm-up game against Japan in Sion on Friday in the 17th minute, leaving the field clutching his right arm.
There were fears the Chelsea striker would miss the World Cup but the federation are confident Drogba will be able to play some part in the finals.
A statement read: 'He was taken urgently to a medical centre in Sion, where x-rays revealed a fracture in the player's right forearm area.
'Didier Drogba's state of health is the object of all the attention of the Elephants' medical staff and of distinguished specialists.
'The Ivory Coast Football Federation stress that the striker Didier Drogba has not, for the moment, been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup.'
Reports suggest Drogba is currently undergoing surgery.
Earlier in the day a national federation spokesman revealed they are awaiting further medical tests but claimed Drogba could even feature when they kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal on 15 June.
'He's not at all out of the World Cup,' he told Press Association Sport. 'He can still play.
'We don't know if he will be able to play the first game - that depends on the verdict of the medical team.
'But he's definitely not out (of the tournament).'
It is nevertheless a devastating blow to Ivory Coast's hopes of qualifying from Group G which, in addition to Portugal, also contains Brazil and North Korea.
Drogba has scored 44 goals in 69 appearances for his country and hit 37 for Chelsea in all competitions as Carlo Ancelotti's men landed the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup double last season.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the game: 'It's an elbow injury for sure. How bad it is, I don't know. He had a lot of pain.'
Drogba went down clutching his arm following a challenge from Japan central defender Tulio shortly after giving the Elephants the lead.
'Of course I am worried, he's our captain and one of the best players in the world,' added former England boss Eriksson, who attached no blame to Tulio.
'It was unlucky, he didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact.'
Ivory Coast ended up winning the game against Japan 2-0 with Manchester City defender Kolo Toure adding a late second.