FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) _ Chelsea has upset Michael Ballack and
German national team officials again for delaying permission for the
midfielder to take part in a publicity spot for Germany's main
sponsor.
Ballack and rest of the team were scheduled to take part at the
filming of an advertising spot for Adidas on Monday. But Chelsea,
Ballack's team, withheld its permission until late Sunday and
Ballack by then had returned to London.
``That's not how you treat a German international, especially the
captain of the team who is highly respected internationally,''
Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said Monday.
German team officials have also questioned Chelsea's decision to
drop Ballack from its Champions League roster. Ballack has not
played since April because of an ankle injury that has required two
surgeries.
Chelsea has said his omission from the Champions League roster
was only due to his injury.
In a video interview released by the German soccer federation on
its website, Ballack said he was disappointed by his team's
decision.
Ballack's status at Chelsea has been the centre of attention in
Germany since Chelsea dropped him, prompting media speculation that
Ballack may leave the London club in mid-season.
``It's not correct that they treat us and their partner Adidas in
this way. It seems the club has other methods,'' Bierhoff said.
Bierhoff said Ballack left the team hotel late Sunday because he
did not want to provoke another dispute with Chelsea, Bierhoff said.
An assistant to Chelsea's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, had sent
a fax to the team advising that Ballack did not have Chelsea's
permission to take part in Monday's filming, Bierhoff said.
After consultations between Chelsea and Adidas, the permission
arrived early in the morning and Adidas supplied a private jet to
return Ballack to Germany.
But Adidas finally gave up the idea to allow Ballack to continue
his rehabilitation program without interruption, the company said.
Germany plays Romania on Wednesday in a friendly in Cologne. The
Germans beat Wales 2-0 in a European Championship qualifier Saturday
in Cardiff without Ballack.
