Diaby adds to France concerns
Monday, May 1, 2006
Article summary
France have lost the services of a third player for this month's UEFA European Under-21 Championship after Arsenal FC's Abou Diaby sustained a serious ankle injury.
Article body
Arsenal FC have confirmed that midfielder Abou Diaby "suffered a fractured, dislocated ankle" towards the end of the 3-0 defeat of relegated Sunderland AFC, ruling the 19-year-old out of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona on 17 May in his native Paris.
'A shame'
Diaby, who has played 12 Premiership matches and appeared twice in the UEFA Champions League since his January transfer from AJ Auxerre, was hurt late in the game following a challenge that angered Arsène Wenger. The Arsenal manager said: "In my opinion the injury is a shame because it was a bad kick and an unneeded one. It is a big blow to lose a player like that. "
Missing out
Diaby left the field on a stretcher and will miss the remainder of the season. He made his U21 debut against Slovakia on 28 February but joins Toulouse FC defender Daniel Congré and LOSC Lille Métropole midfielder Mathieu Debuchy in being ruled out of the tournament in Portugal, which starts on 23 May. France are next in friendly action against Croatia on 18 May.
