Soccer: Injury is the reason given for Desailly absence

Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has insisted an achilles injury - and not concerns over the current unrest in the Middle East - caused him to pull out of his side’s UEFA Cup tie with Tel Aviv tomorrow.

Over a month after the terrorist attacks on the United States, the trip to Israel for their second round, first leg of the European competition has created controversy in the club with a few players making clear they did not want to risk their lives.

‘‘When we heard the name of our rivals in the draw we all hoped the club would react by saying we should play on a neutral ground,’’ he said.

‘‘The club’s managers explained to me that they asked the British Embassy in Israel whether there were any risks to play that game considering the current context.

‘‘They obtained certain guarantees, knowing you can never have an absolute security, but Chelsea decided to show the example, if we were not going some other teams might not have wanted to go either.

‘‘As for me I will not go to Tel-Aviv but it has nothing to do with all that stuff.

‘‘I’m suffering from my left achilles and it is linked to a teeth problem.

‘‘I hope I’ll be able to play against Leeds United on Saturday but I am not sure yet.’’

UEFA meanwhile reassured Chelsea that they will not be penalised for playing Hapoel Tel Aviv with an under-strength line-up.

A spokesman for European football’s governing body insisted that, with six players refusing to join the party flying out from Heathrow this morning, manager Claudio Ranieri will have just 19 players from which to select his starting 11.

Asked if UEFA would be taking action over the Blues fielding a depleted team, the spokesman said: ‘‘I’m sure we won’t. It’s the same as when you have players injured. There’s a list of 25 eligible players named at the start of the season, and they have to select the players from these 25.’’

Quizzed why UEFA did not switch the match to a neutral venue, he added: ‘‘We’ve been in contact with Chelsea and they’re willing to travel to Tel Aviv. The match will go ahead there.’’

The players that opted not to travel - Desailly, Petit, Gudjohnsen, Le Saux, Gallas and Ferrer - are believed to have been given the day off.

Chelsea officials confirmed the six will not be training today.

Celestine Babayaro is travelling to the Middle East - and his agents, Wembley-based First Artist Corporation, revealed he was concerned about the trip.

First Artist chief executive Jon Smith said: ‘‘He’s a little bit apprehensive, but he’s there to play for their team and he’s fully committed to that. Everyone’s apprehensive about flying at the moment.’’