Kevin-Prince Boateng claims Michael Ballack's slap was worse than the tackle that injured the Germany captain.
Pompey star stokes the fire after weekend clash
Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng claims that Michael Ballack's slap on him was worse than the tackle that injured the Germany captain.
The pair clashed in last weekend's FA Cup final at Wembley and a resulting ankle injury means Ballack will not be able to take part in this summer's World Cup.
He has come out to criticise Boateng for the challenge, but the Ghana star, and former Germany U21 international, says Ballack's offence was worse.
"There is my foul on the one hand and his slap on the other, and I think that violent conduct is far worse than a foul," he told
Sport Bild magazine.
"Ballack really does surprise me. He complains for weeks when (Lukas) Podolski slaps him and yet he does it himself.
"He is no better than Podolski. What kind of behaviour is that?"
Lukas Podolski confronted Ballack whilst playing for Germany against Wales in April last year, after a disagreement over a tactical decision.
Boateng has also criticised Germany coach Joachim Low for showing mercy to his captain during the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win, while saying his foul on Ballack at the weekend should have been sanctioned with a red card.
"When I hear that, I can see that he has two different ways of seeing things," added Boateng.
"Can his captain slap whomever he wants? That was clearly violent conduct.
"If I had done that, I would have been banned for years. That is why I left the Germany set-up to represent Ghana."
Ghana have been drawn alongside Germany in World Cup Group D and face each other on 23rd June in Johannesburg.
