Bayern supremo slams Dutch physio

Bayern supremo slams Dutch physio

Published Aug. 16, 2010 2:28 p.m. ET

Uli Hoeness has accused Dutch physiotherapist Dick van Toorn of needing glasses for failing to spot that Arjen Robben had a serious injury.

And he has also blasted the French Football Federation for a lack of decency in requesting Franck Ribery attend a hearing in Paris on Tuesday.

Holland winger Robben has been told by Bayern club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt that he faces eight weeks on the sidelines after it was discovered on his return to pre-season training at the start of the month he had a serious muscle tear.

The 26-year-old was injured in Holland's warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup, but Van Toorn was able to get him fit to play in South Africa despite fears he would miss the entire tournament.

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And the Dutchman has since rejected the German side's claim he was negligent in his treatment of Robben.

But Bayern Munich president Hoeness is not prepared to let the matter rest, telling the Bild newspaper in an interview: "We have in Muller-Wohlfahrt the best sports doctor in the world with a success rate of 100%. If Mr Van Toorn cannot recognise the injury then he should buy himself some glasses.

"It was negligent of the Dutch to let Robben play for even a single second at the World Cup. He played injured at the tournament and we are now paying the cost. That can surely not be right. We are demanding compensation."

Bayern are also unhappy over the treatment of one of their other foreign stars, Ribery, who was one of five France players summoned to Paris to appear before the FFF's disciplinary committee to discuss the behaviour of the national team during the tournament, when in-fighting led to them being eliminated in the group stage.

Bayern have already made it clear they will not be releasing their player for the hearing.

Hoeness added: "We are not sending the French our players, who are in the midst of preparing for the season, on demand.

"They have absolutely no decency. If they want something, then they should surely come here. The club has behaved in an exemplary fashion in this matter. I can only welcome the measure not to allow Franck to travel to Paris. I would also not have let him go."

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