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Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng reveals death threats over his tackle that excluded Ballack from 2010 World Cup

By ghanasoccernet.com
Sports News Michael Ballack r. Is down injured after he was fouled by Kevin-Prince Boateng in May 2010
FEB 17, 2016 LISTEN
Michael Ballack (r.) Is down injured after he was fouled by Kevin-Prince Boateng in May 2010

Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed that he received several death threats for his tackle on Michael Ballack that ruled the Germany captain out of the 2010 World Cup.

The AC Milan enforcer says Ballack gave him a dirty slap before his tackle on the Germany midfielder ruled him out of the tournament in South Africa but insists the tackle was not intentional.

Germany's hopes of winning the tournament in South Africa suffered a serious blow when Ballack, the team's leader and top midfielder, was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury suffered in Chelsea's English FA Cup final in May 2010, just one month before the World Cup started.

Ballack, 33, tore the ligaments in his right ankle when he was tackled by the Portsmouth ace Boateng, a former German youth international who changed nationality so that he could play for Ghana at the World Cup.

With Ghana in the same group as Germany at the tournament in South Africa it was tough the tackle to meant to ruled Ballack out of the tournament to prevent him from, playing against the Black Stars.

However, in his biography, which has been serialized by a German newspaper, says he was demonized and threatened by Germany fans but believes the punishment he received during the game was enough.

Boateng said Ballack was the first to attack him with a dirty slap which should have been accompanied with a sending off by the referee.

"There was a small pushing and shoving near our goal. Ballack stands opposite me and gives me a slap. Referee Chris Foy saw nothing. Normally that would have been a red card due to assault," Boateng describes the situation over the incident that might have led to the foul.

"Then it was the usual trash talk. The slap was not just a slap, but a real wiper. Five minutes later we met in the midfield and I halted the train passing. That was in the 34th minute."

In his book, Boateng vigorously defends himself against the accusation that the challenge was intentional.

"Those (who say that the tackle was intentional) never played football. Such incidents come in almost every game. I have apologized, Ballack had to get out, I got yellow, and so was the topic done. "

"But because of this tackle I have received several death threats."

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