Cannavaro out of Euro 2008

Azzurri skipper suffers ankle injury in training

Last updated: 3rd June 2008

Cannavaro out of Euro 2008

Cannavaro: Out of Euro 2008

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Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been ruled out of Euro 2008 due to an ankle injury.

Cannavaro suffered the injury after a training ground collision with team-mate Giorgio Chiellini on Monday.

The influential centre-half lay on the turf for 20 minutes before being carried away on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

The Italian medical staff had been hopeful that Cannavaro's injury was not serious, but scans have shown up ankle ligament damage.

A statement on the Federation's official website, www.figc.it, said: "The news we feared was confirmed in Baden late on Monday evening. Fabio Cannavaro will say goodbye to our European adventure, before it has even begun.

"The captain has suffered torn ligaments, which happened the moment his foot made contact with the ground. His ankle twisted awkwardly."

Heartache

He will now be forced to sit out the upcoming European Championship, with the length of his absence yet to be determined.

With Cannavaro now missing from his plans, Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni will have to call up a replacement.

Daniele Bonera and Alessandro Gamberini are the likely candidates to take Cannavaro's place in the squad for the tournament.

Italy open up their Euro 2008 campaign against Holland on 9th June before the world champions play Romania and France in Group C.