Cannavaro ruled out with injury
VIENNA: Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been ruled out of Euro 2008 after suffering ankle ligament damage on Monday, the Italian soccer federation said.
The 34-year-old defender collided with Giorgio Chiellini in Italy's first training session in Austria and his departure was confirmed after having tests in hospital.
Alessandro Gamberini has been called up as a replacement and will arrive at Italy's base near Vienna on Tuesday.
"Fabio Cannavaro must say goodbye to the European Championship," a statement on the Federation website (www.figc.it) said.
Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup two years ago, will hold a news conference on Tuesday alongside coach Roberto Donadoni.
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Italy's Fabio Cannavaro is helped by medical staff after he was injured during a training session at the Suedstadt stadium in Maria Enzersdorf, on Monday. Reuters |
Capped 116 times, Cannavaro has been a key figure in Italy's defense and was voted FIFA's World Player of the Year in 2006.
However, he has become slower and more error-prone since moving to Real Madrid from Juventus following the World Cup triumph.
His place in the national side has never been in doubt, but the emergence of center-back Andrea Barzagli, who has produced some assured displays for Italy in the last year, will slightly cushion the blow for Donadoni.
Defender Marco Materazzi is also in the squad while Chiellini and Christian Panucci can play at center-back rather than fullback.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may be the most likely candidate to take over as captain with midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini other options.
The world champion flew into Austria earlier on Monday.
Italy faces the Netherlands in its first Group C match in Berne on June 9 before playing Romania and France.
Captain Vieira out
France captain Patrick Vieira will miss France's first match at Euro 2008 because of an injury, coach Raymond Domenech told reporters on Monday.
Midfielder Vieira, who hurt his left ankle in training on Friday, will not play the Group C game against Romania on June 9 in Zurich, Domenech said.
A decision on whether he remains in the tournament would be taken on Sunday, the coach added.
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini was called up to the French squad earlier on Monday following concerns over Vieira's fitness.
"He (Vieira) is doubtful and that's why we called back Mathieu (Flamini) and will make a decision on June 8," said Domenech.
France has until Sunday, one day before its Group C opener against Romania, to make changes to its squad in case of an injury.
Agencies
(China Daily 06/04/2008 page22)
