The Associated Press | Saturday, 4 June, 2010| The Associated Press

Didier Drogba’s participation in the World Cup is uncertain after the Ivory Coast captain broke his right arm on Friday.

Team spokesman Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that Drogba’s fracture was confirmed by doctors after he was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast’s 2-0 win against Japan in a friendly.

“It is a fracture in his right arm,” Kacou said. “The doctor hasn’t said yet whether he can play in the World Cup.”

The injury threatens to rob the tournament of one of Africa’s and world soccer’s biggest stars.

Drogba scored 29 goals in 32 English Premier League matches this season to power Chelsea to the title.

The match was the final tuneup for Ivory Coast and Japan before they travel to South Africa. The Ivorians open the World Cup on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth, while Japan begins a day earlier against Cameroon in Bloemfontein.

Ivory Coast’s 32-year-old striker fell after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka, and appeared to be holding his right side. He was then rushed to hospital.

“Of course I’m worried,” coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. “He’s our captain and one of the best players in the world.”

Eriksson said the injury was unlucky, and didn’t blame Tulio.

“It wasn’t bad or stupid. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact,” the Swedish coach said.

Two minutes before the challenge, Drogba’s 24-yard free kick was deflected by Tulio into his own net.

Defender Kolo Toure scored from close range in the 81st.

Related articles by Zemanta

• World Cup 2010: Ivory Coast confirm that Didier Drogba’s arm is broken (telegraph.co.uk)
• Ivory Coast star striker Drogba out of World Cup (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Drogba says he’s out of World Cup with broken arm (cbssports.com)

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