Soccer Friction Headline Animator

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

New Ballack row in Chelsea over filming


A new row has erupted over Michael Ballack, with Oliver Bierhoff accusing Chelsea once again.

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has hit out once against at Chelsea, this time over the club not allowing the player to travel to Germany for a photo-shoot.

The shoot was for the launch of the German national team's new kit for the 2008 European Championships.

The player was forced to return to London on Sunday after not being granted permission to participate on Monday, which has left both both the German Federation (DFB) and sponsors Adidas fuming.

Said Bierhoff to Bild: "This is not how you treat a German international, especially the captain of the team."

Adidas also sponsor Chelsea, and Ballack himself has a personal contract with the German sports goods manufacturers.

"It's not correct that they [Chelsea] treat us and their own partner Adidas in this way," continued Bierhoff. "It seems this club has other methods."

Beirhoff revealed that Peter Kenyon's assistant had fax-ed a statement denying Ballack the permission.

However, Chelsea have denied the entire episode, saying: "Michael was given permission to attend the photo shoot."

It appears that he was, but only after Adidas themselves stepped in on Monday. However, the player was already back in London, and the DFB chose not to make him fly back and forth again.

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