England’s Ferdinand Out of World Cup, Drogba Too?By: GLEN LEVY (54 mins ago)
FADI AL-ASSAAD/Reuters/Corbis
http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/06/04/englands-ferdinand-out-of-world-cup-drogba-tooWith a week to go before the 19th World Cup kicks off, we were due a major piece of injury news. On the same day, we got two.
England captain Rio Ferdinand, one of the team’s most important players, has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the team’s first training session in their Rustenberg base in South Africa. Striker Emile Heskey was responsible for the “accidental injury” though some England fans will suggest that’s the closest the goal-shy striker has come to finding his target in recent months.
It’s a cruel blow for the stylish 31 year-old, who had been included in his fourth World Cup squad. The Football Association statement confirmed the bad news: “Further to a scan arranged by the England medical staff immediately after training on Friday afternoon, Rio has been ruled out for four to six weeks and will therefore unfortunately miss the World Cup.”
His replacement is Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard — coming off a poor season — steps up as captain.Ferdinand’s injury carries on the bizarre curse that has struck down many an England captain going into the tournament in the past, such as Kevin Keegan, Bryan Robson and David Beckham (who himself was injured earlier this year, ruling out his participation in South Africa though he is an unofficial part of the training staff). But the U.S. will be secretly delighted as the likes of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan won’t have to face up against the formidable Ferdinand in their opening group game on June 12. You’d imagine that coach Fabio Capello will be wrapping up England’s star striker — and Ferdinand’s Manchester United team mate — Wayne Rooney in cotton balls to avoid any further mishaps.
But the captaincy curse continues: Ivory Coast leader — and TIME 100 cover star – Didier Drogba’s participation is in grave danger after he suffered a suspected fractured elbow. The 32 year-old Chelsea striker picked up the injury in his side’s 2-0 friendly win over Japan though there was clearly nothing friendly about the challenge by defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson (who, out of interest, used to manage England) said there was still a chance the talismanic front man could feature at some point. “We are not sure yet, we think it’s still a possibility,” said the Swede, no doubt fully aware that by the time Drogba is fit, Les Elephantes could have already been eliminated as they’re in a tough group against the likes of Brazil and Portugal.
