FINLAND:FOOTBALL BECKHAM/HOSPITAL ARRIVAL

CORTESIA: MTV3 SUPERS - Monday Turku, Finland March 15, 2010 --VIDEO SHOWS — Shows car arriving at hospital. entering hospital --CNN WIRE -- (CNN) -- David Beckham’s prospects of crowning his stellar professional football career with one final World Cup appearance this year appeared to be in tatters Monday after he suffered a suspected Achilles tendon injury. Beckham, whose global popularity -- particularly with American fans -- would have been a huge spectator draw for the 2010 Cup in South Africa, was forced to hobble from the pitch while playing a league game for his Italian team AC Milan. Fabio Capello, the manager of the England team, said tests were under way to determine the seriousness of the injury, but Beckham's prospects looked grim. "I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury," he said in a statement. "We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup. "David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow," he added. In a message posted his own Web site, Beckham said he was on his way to Finland to see a specialist and was optimistic of a rapid return to the pitch. "I am upset but want to thank everyone for their messages of support," he said. "I hope to make a swift and full recovery." According to Mervi Kallio, a journalist with CNN affiliate MTV3 in Finland, Beckham was seen arriving in Turku, 250 kilometers (155 miles) west of Helsinki, walking with the aid of crutches. She said Sakari Orava, the Finnish orthopedic surgeon who will be treating Beckham at the private Mehilainen hospital, had told her earlier that he was still unsure of the nature of the injury, but said an Achilles rupture would certainly rule him out of the World Cup. Beckham's inclusion in the line up for South Africa, albeit less crucial than younger stars such as Wayne Rooney, would have made him the country's first ever player to compete in four World ...

Channel: blip.tv Video Length: 37s Date Found: Tue, Mar 16 2010 6:12 AM Category: Entertainment Date Produced: Mon, Mar 15 2010 4:28 PM View Count: 0