FRANKFURT, Germany (AP):Chelsea have upset Michael Ballack and German national team officials again for delaying permission for the midfielder to take part in a publicity spot for Germany's main sponsor.
Ballack and the rest of the German team were scheduled to take part at the filming of an advertising spot for Adidas yesterday. But Chelsea, Ballack's team, withheld its permission until late Sunday and Ballack by then had returned to London.
"That's not how you treat a German international, especially the captain of the team who is highly respected internationally," Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said yesterday.
German team officials have also questioned Chelsea's decision to drop Ballack from its Champions League roster. Ballack has not played since April because of an ankle injury that has required two surgeries.
Chelsea have said his omission from the Champions League roster was only due to his injury.
In a video interview released by the German soccer federation on its website, Ballack said he was disappointed by his team's decision.
Departure rumours
Ballack's status at Chelsea has been the centre of attention in Germany since Chelsea dropped him, prompting speculation in much of the media that Ballack may leave the London club in mid-season.
"It's not correct that they treat us and their partner Adidas in this way. It seems the club has other methods," Bierhoff said.
Bierhoff said Ballack left the team hotel late Sunday because he did not want to provoke another dispute with Chelsea, Bierhoff said.
An assistant to Chelsea's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, had sent a fax to the team advising that Ballack did not have Chelsea's permission to take part in today's filming, Bierhoff said.
After consultations between Chelsea and Adidas, the permission arrived early in the morning and Adidas supplied a private jet to return Ballack to Germany. But Adidas finally gave up the idea to allow Ballack to continue his rehabilitation programme without interruption, the company said.
Germany are playing Romania tomorrow in a friendly in Cologne. The Germans beat Wales 2-0 in a European Championship qualifier on Saturday in Cardiff without Ballack.
