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Football

Chelsea's Tiago will miss Olympics


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A groin problem has ruled Chelsea new boy Tiago out of the Olympics

LISBON, Portugal -- Chelsea's new signing Tiago Mendes has been dropped from Portugal's Olympic squad because of a recurring groin injury.

"There was a worsening of an old injury which Tiago suffered and in order to recover he would need more preparation time, which we do not have," Portuguese team doctor Joao Resende said.

Porto striker Helder Postiga has also been dropped from this month's Olympic squad because of a strained left knee ligament.

Portuguese team doctor Joao Resende decided that the 21-year-old, who last month moved back to his former club Porto after just over a year at English outfit Tottenham Hotspur, would not be fit to compete.

The Olympic squad, which also includes Manchester United teenage winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Fulham's Luis Boa Morte, met in Lisbon on Sunday.

They had medical tests before heading to the southern province of Algarve for a pre-Olympics training camp.

Last month the Portuguese Football Federation turned down a request by Chelsea and Manchester United to spare the 23-year-old Tiago and Ronaldo from the Games, which get underway on August 13.

The English-based players could miss two weeks of the Premiership season if Portugal manage to reach the Olympic soccer final on August 28.

Portugal are in Group D along with Costa Rica, Iraq and Morocco.

Tiago, who last month signed with Chelsea from Benfica on a three-year deal reportedly worth 12 million euros ($14.5m), had told English media he wanted to be released from Portugal's squad for Athens so he can play for the London-based club.


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