POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – Greece have been forced to pull out of the 2010 World Cup after they were found to have a ‘massive deficit’ in equipment leaving them unable to conduct training sessions. Greece were the most under equipped team at the World Cup and had no choice but to bow out after failing to receive a substantial bailout from football’s governing body . “It is true our store room is empty, we have nothing to train with” head coach Otto Rehhagel told reporters as the team conducted a five-a-side match with an empty Coke can. “We can no longer continue with this jumpers for goalposts model. It’s just not sustainable”.
FIFA rules stipulate that all teams must train with only approved equipment and cannot substitute footballs for Coke cans or any other beverage containers. This comes after the team had already mistakenly placed half of all raining vests, cones, and boots on the wrong plane before the tournament.
Greece were heavily criticised for a loose shooting policy that led to well over fifty footballs fired over their training ground perimeter combined with a lack of solid retrieval process. “They have been so irresponsible with their equipment.” blasted FIFA President Sepp Blatter. “What would you have me do? They cannot train, they cannot play. They must go”.
They had urgently requested the supply of balls that would have allowed them to continue training ahead of their last group game against Argentina, but the call fell on deaf ears as other teams proved reluctant to donate for fear of overstretching their own stocks.
Greece are currently negotiating the details of an emergency rescue package from kit sponsor Adidas which could see much needed stock dispatched from a local Adidas store and should see their stock replenished in time for Euro 2012.
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