Gunners boss calls for truancy tests

10:24am Friday 21st November 2008

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ARSENE Wenger has urged football's governing bodies FIFA and UEFA to clamp down on players who feign injury ahead of intrusive friendly international matches.

The Frenchman was speaking after seeing Arsenal's Theo Walcott sustain a dislocated shoulder which is likely to keep him out for three months ahead of England's midweek game with Germany in Berlin.

Wenger refused to blame the FA for the 19-year-old's injury, despite being openly critical of the timing of the international fixtures, although he called on FIFA and UEFA to examine players who had pulled out complaining of various injuries.

“I'm disappointed because he is an important part of our squad, but it could have happened here,” Wenger said. “I do not blame the FA.

“Many players pulled out because this friendly was very badly scheduled. It would be very interesting for Fifa and Uefa to make a study of any players who have not played on Wednesday in any national team and who will play on Saturday or on next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Champions League.”

Wenger's comments come after a number of England stars pulled out of Wednesday's fixture, including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole, despite the likes of Gerrard and Lampard playing a full 90 minutes for their club sides at the weekend.

And the French manager is eager to see a harder line taken against players who suddenly appear with various niggles.

“What I want is for it to be the same for everybody with injuries and the national team.” Wenger said. “You can go to the best specialist in the world and you can say you have pain in your Achilles. He can do three scans and say there is nothing. You say you have pain and he will have to believe you.

“I do not accuse Rooney or Gerrard of having nothing, but you have plenty of people in Europe who have not played this week.”