Bayern Munich 'Robbed' of Winger
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have spoken of their anger after being denied the services of Arjen Robben for the first two months of the season.
The Dutch winger had been suffering from a hamstring injury in the build up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and missed out on the first two games of the tournament in South Africa. However, the German club believe that the player had not fully recovered from the damage to the muscle and that the player’s injury was aggravated while playing for the Netherlands. Now, Bayern are seeking compensation from the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Club 'angered'
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was incensed and the club’s official website that: “Naturally, FC Bayern Munich is extremely angry. Yet again, we as a club are having to pay the price for a player sustaining a serious injury with his national team. We will seek to reach an amicable settlement to this problem with the KNVB. Football’s world governing body Fifa has been informed about Arjen Robben’s injury and we have requested Fifa to act as a mediator if necessary.”
One of the members of Bayern’s medical staff, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, said: “This is a serious injury. I consider it irresponsible this injury was not more precisely diagnosed and that Arjen was allowed to play. I personally offered my assistance in diagnosing the original injury on several occasion, but this offer was never taken up.”
Hamstring tear
Robben was initially injured after suffering a small tear in his left hamstring in a 6-1 friendly win against Hungary ahead of the World Cup. The player had scored twice before injuring himself as he attempted a back-heel move towards the end of the game. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid star made his first appearance in the tournament when he came on as a substitute after 73 minutes in the final group stage match against Cameroon. He set up the winner when his shot rebounded off the post and Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored from the rebound. He scored twice in his five games at the tournament, as Holland finished runners-up to Spain.
The player spoke of his lay-off, which will see him face at least eight weeks on the sidelines as he completes a period of rehabilitation. Robben said: "This diagnosis after my return to the club comes as a huge shock. I’m extremely disappointed, as the enforced break is a big setback for me and for the team. I went through 120 minutes in the final. After the final I felt no pain and that’s why I went on vacation.”
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