FRANCE 98 – Colombia – Exclusion of Faustino Asprilla

Following the morning training session on 17 June, Hernan Dario GOMEZ, the coach for the COLOMBIA team (Group G) announced that Faustino ASPRILLA (11) will be excluded from the Colombian selection for the whole of the World Cup.

This decision follows comments made by the striker on Colombian radio, questioning the tactics used by the trainer and the performance of the team against ROMANIA. “He broke the rules by speaking that way to a journalist. He knew what he was doing, he has excluded himself”, declared Herman Dario GOMEZ. “Nonetheless, Faustino is still a friend. The Colombian Federation will issue a press release to officially announce the date of his departure. He may be young but the rules still apply to him. Moreover, the comments he made aren’t justified as there were no tactical problems against ROMANIA.”

Among the players, this exclusion came as a surprise. Adolfo VALENCIA (9) has replied “no comment” to questions by journalists. Carlos VALDERRAMA (10), the captain of the team, stresses that the team is still united. Finally, the striker, Leider PRECIADO (21) declared:” I don’t know if I’m going to play but I’m ready.”