The Hindu : Sport / Football : Mostovoi expelled for comments against team management

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Wednesday, Jun 16, 2004

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Sport - Football

Mostovoi expelled for comments against team management

LISBON, JUNE 15. Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi was kicked out of Euro 2004 on Tuesday for criticising his coach while England's Nicky Butt was ruled out injured and Danish winger Jesper Groenkjaer flew in after the death of his mother.

Former Celta Vigo midfielder Mostovoi, Russia's best known and most experienced player, blamed coach Georgy Yartsev for sending the team out against Spain `totally shattered' after intensive training.

The Russian federation responded by sending him home. "The unethical comments made by Alexander Mostovoi mean he cannot stay with the team," said Yartsev.

England midfielder Butt was ruled out after suffering knee ligament damage in training on Tuesday. He didn't take part in England's dramatic 2-1 loss to France on Sunday but had been expected to take over from the injured Paul Scholes for Thursday's game against Switzerland at Coimbra.

England was to ask UEFA if it could call up Chelsea's Scott Parker as a replacement. "Nicky Butt has medial collateral ligament damage which he picked up in training yesterday and he is unlikely to take further part in the tournament," said England spokesman Colin Gibson.

"The injury normally takes three or four weeks to recover. We're not sure if he will be sent home. He's quite keen to stay here."

Groenkjaer had stayed home after the death of his mother last week but now flies in to join a Danish team buoyant after Monday's 0-0 tie with favoured Italy.

"We have always kept the spot open for Jesper," Danish coach Morten Olsen said on Tuesday. "Now he feels ready to join the squad and we are of course happy with his decision." — AP

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