Veron's chances dealt another blow (8 Apr 2006 01:03 GMT)
Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron's remote chances of playing at the FIFA World Cup dwindled further after his ugly clash with national captain Juan Pablo Sorin during Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match.
On Wednesday, Argentine television showed numerous replays of the incidents involving the two players who were on opposite sides when Spain's Villarreal beat Inter Milan 1-0 to reach the semi-finals.
The two were seen pushing and insulting each other on several occasions following an ugly tackle by Inter's Veron on Sorin early in the game. At half-time, they had to be separated by other players.
"It was a reaction of his but it's staying on the field," Sorin said.
Veron has not been picked since Jose Pekerman took over as Argentina coach in October 2004 while Sorin has been made the captain.
Pekerman has always said that Veron - who many blamed for Argentina's shock first-round exit at the 2002 FIFA World Cup - had been absent for tactical reasons while Veron himself has said that he does not understand his exclusion.
The sports daily Ole said: "With this episode, Veron has closed the door of the national team even more."
source : FIFA