Evanílson despair for Dortmund
Monday, October 18, 2004
Article summary
BV Borussia Dortmund's Brazilian defender Evanílson faces four months out with a knee ligament injury.
Article body
Huge blow
The 29-year-old right-back hurt his left knee in a first-half challenge with Silvio Meissner of VfB Stuttgart in Saturday's 2-0 Bundesliga defeat. Evanílson, who has been ever present this season, managed to play the full 90 minutes but tests after the game showed he had sustained serious ligament damage.
Surgery unlikely
Dortmund doctor Markus Braun will assess whether the Brazilian needs surgery later this week, in consultation with knee specialist Jürgen Eichhorn. Braun said: "As things stand, I don't think Evanílson will need to have another operation." Despite this, Braun estimated that Evanílson will be out of action for up to 12 weeks.
Change at top
Meanwhile, Dortmund president Gerd Niebaum has decided to stand down because of the club's financial situation. Ten days ago, Niebaum published a club record debt of almost €119m and has been under pressure ever since. The 55-year-old, president for 18 years, will remain at the Westfalenstadion as managing director. Reinhard Rauball will be the new president, although that will have to be confirmed at a shareholders meeting on 14 November.
