Cannavaro operation successful: Euro chief doctor

AFP - 4 June 2008 14:51

Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro, seen here being stretchered off the field after injuring his ankle at practice on June 2. Cannavaro has undergone an operation on his left ankle in Vienna, after injuring it during training, the chief medical officer for Euro 2008, Christian Gaebler, said.

VIENNA (AFP) - Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro underwent an operation on his left ankle on Wednesday in Vienna, after injuring it during training on Monday, the chief medical officer for the Euro, Christian Gaebler said.

The operation was successful, added Gaebler, who operated on Cannavaro with Italy team doctor Andrea Ferretti at a private hospital in Vienna.

The 34-year-old Real Madrid player was to return to the Italian base in Baden on Wednesday afternoon.

Cannavaro tore two ligaments in his left ankle during a training session on Monday, just hours after Italy arrived in the country, after colliding with teammate Giorgio Chiellini during a practice match.

Although ruled out of Euro 2008, the Italy captain has said he intends to stay with the national side for the duration of the championship.

Ferretti said be believed the centre-back would be out of action for "several months".

His absence is a serious blow to Italy, who are in the so-called 'Group of Death' with 2006 World Cup finalists France, the Netherlands and dark horses Romania.