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Ballack out World Cup

Published:Tuesday | May 18, 2010 | 12:00 AM
In this May 15, 2010 file photo Chelsea's Michael Ballack lays on the field injured during the FA Cup final football match between Portsmouth and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London. Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup because of a right-ankle injury. The German federation did not give any details in a short text message to journalists. Ballack flew to Germany late Sunday to have a scan on his injured ankle. The 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder was injured in Saturday's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. - FILE

FRANKFURT (AP):

Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup because of a right-ankle injury, dealing the three-time champions a serious blow less than a month before the tournament.

The German football federation said yesterday that the 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder had torn ligaments in his right ankle from a tackle during his club's 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth on Saturday. Ballack's ankle has been put in a cast and the federation said he won't be able to train for at least eight weeks.

"It's very disappointing, but I have to accept it," Ballack told German television, standing with crutches. "It's football and you have to live with it. ... I am angry, clearly."

Ballack arrived in Sicily later yesterday to visit the team's training camp, the federation said.

Ballack's absence leaves Germany coach Joachim Loew without his most experienced player and leader in a squad with many young players. The German media called it a "shock".

The injury probably robs Ballack of the final chance to win the World Cup title after reaching the 2002 final and the 2006 semi-finals.

Shocked

"We are shocked, no question about it, and we are all very, very sad," Loew said at the team's training camp in Sicily. "He is a very important player for us, a world class player who played a very important role in decisive games for us.

"There can be no question of resignation now. We are sure we can still play a good tournament."

Ballack, who has made 98 appearances for Germany and scored 42 goals, was injured Saturday after a tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng, previously a Bundesliga player, who is the half-brother of Germany defender Jerome Boateng. Kevin-Prince Boateng has chosen to play for Ghana, the country of his father and one of Germany's World Cup opponents.

Brutal tackle

Loew called the tackle "brutal," and Ballack said the foul might have been intentional. Ballack and Boateng were involved in a scuffle shortly before the foul.

"I have seen it on TV and to say it was not on purpose means you have to be a friend of Boateng," Ballack said after the final at Wembley. "Boateng was lucky to get away with a yellow but it is football and if the referee controls the game and decides it is no red card you have to accept it."

Boateng was born and raised in Berlin and played for several German youth selections, including the under-21 team. From Hertha Berlin, he moved to Tottenham, then went on loan to Borussia Dortmund before joining Portsmouth.

Germany's incomplete squad has been in Sicily since Friday. Seven players from Bayern Munich will join the squad after Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan.