Berlin, May 17: Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of next month’s World Cup finals in South Africa with n ankle injury, the German football federation (DFB) said on Monday.
“Michael Ballack will not be able to play at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,” the DFB said in a text message sent to reporters. It said it would have more information shortly on its website (www.dfb.de)
The midfielder limped off during the first half of Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Portsmouth on Saturday after injuring his ankle in a late tackle by Kevin-Prince Boateng.
—Agencies