96 million reasons why Chelsea let Ballack team up with the Germans

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The club were forced to release the midfielder to take part in the event for Germany's Euro 2008 campaign after initially denying permission.

Officials from Germany's football federation had to spend the weekend trying to make contact with Stamford Bridge.

Ballack has already been omitted from Chelsea's Champions League squad and they would have struggled to justify his absence from an event with one of their biggest backers.

The sportswear company is not only a major sponsor for the federation and the midfielder, but it also has an eight-year kit deal which could be worth £96million to the Premier League club.

Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon is understood to have been away last week and German officials were frustrated they could not speak to anyone about the event which Chelsea are believed to have known about for four weeks.

Ballack prepared to fly back to London from Germany, where he was having treatment on his ankle injury, before he finally secured permission last night.

After more than four months on the sidelines Ballack, who is running again, is upset that he will miss the Champions League matches.

He said: "I am disappointed. But have to focus on getting healthy again. Then I can make up my mind about other things."