Replacements in the NIGERIA (Group D) and ITALY (Group B) teams

Nigeria’s JERO to be replaced by OPARAKU

The Bureau of the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup FRANCE 98 has today complied with a request from the Nigeria Football Association to replace player n° 2, JERO.

JERO sustained a shoulder injury in the friendly match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 5 June. He will be replaced by Mobi OPARAKU :

OPARAKU Mobi/01.12.1976/Kapellen (BEL)

Italy’s RAVANELLI to be replaced by CHIESA

The Bureau of the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup FRANCE 98 has today complied with a request from the Italian Football Association to replace player n° 20, Fabrizio RAVANELLI.

RAVANELLI is suffering from a serious case of influenza and will be replaced by Enrico CHIESA :

CHIESA Enrico/29.12.1970/Parma (ITA)

National associations are allowed to replace injured or sick players up to the kick-off time of the opening match provided that their medical condition has been ratified by the FIFA Sports Medical Committee.

FIFA Communications Division
Paris, 09/06/198