MICHAEL Ballack has condemned Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng for the crude tackle that has jeopardised his World Cup, reports David Hynter.

Boateng was booked for his first-half challenge on Germany’s captain, whose right ankle buckled horribly in Saturday’s FA Cup final. Ballack tried to play on but was forced to admit defeat just before the interval. He left Wembley with his lower leg in a protective boot.

Ballack was due to have a scan yesterday afternoon but the swelling was so bad that it had to be postponed. He will try again today. Although the German’s tone in the wake of the incident was characteristically measured, there was no mistaking his anger.

“It wasn’t a good tackle,” the midfielder said. “I’ve seen it on TV and it didn’t look a good tackle and when I was on the pitch, I knew it would be really difficult to carry on. I tried, but it wasn’t possible. I’ve had a few injuries and if you can’t carry on, that’s always a bad sign. Sometimes it’s bruising or sometimes it’s a nerve that stops you.”

Guardian Service