The Ivorian Football Federation have confirmed that captain Didier Drogba has broken his arm but are still not ruling him out of the FIFA World Cup™.
Drogba was forced out of the Côte d'Ivoire's warm-up game against Japan in Sion today in the 17th minute, leaving the field clutching his right arm. There were fears the Chelsea striker would miss the FIFA World Cup but the federation are confident Drogba will be able to play some part in the finals.
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).[Ivorian FA spokesman]
A statement released to Press Association Sport 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 FIFA 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)."
Drogba was forced out of the Côte d'Ivoire's warm-up game against Japan in Sion today in the 17th minute, leaving the field clutching his right arm. There were fears the Chelsea striker would miss the FIFA World Cup but the federation are confident Drogba will be able to play some part in the finals.
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).[Ivorian FA spokesman]
A statement released to Press Association Sport 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 FIFA 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)."
