Achilles injury: Yossi Benayoun is facing up to six
months out of action with the problem
The Israel FA have disputed Chelsea's
claims that midfielder Yossi Benayoun suffered an achilles tendon
tear on international duty.
Benayoun is facing up to six months on the sidelines with the
injury but the IFA insisted he arrived from England with the
problem.
IFA chief spokesman Gil Lebanony said: 'When Yossi Benayoun came
to Israel he didn't practise with us, even for a single second.
'He came with pain in his achilles tendon and with a diagnosis
from Chelsea that it was only a small tear.
'But our doctor said immediately that it was a very serious
problem and sent him for an MRI scan. The MRI doctor diagnosed the
big tear immediately.
'We're sorry that he is injured because Yossi is so important
for us, as he is for Chelsea but we're not to blame for the
injury.'
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti had insisted Benayoun was injury
free when he went to Israel.
Ancelotti said: 'We are sure that, when he left England, they
didn't have a tear on his tendon. We are sure of this.
'He had a calf problem. The MRI showed this problem, but the
tendon was clear. He had a problem at the start of the season with
inflammation on his tendon, had treatment and came back to play for
us and the national team.
'I don't know what happened after he left England. I haven't
asked him because I haven't seen him. I trust my doctor at this
club, and we are sure. I can say this: he didn't have a tear on his
tendon when he left England.'
