Monday, October 15, 2007
Babel axed for oversleeping
Liverpool's Ryan Babel was axed from the Holland team that lost 1-0 in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Romania because of oversleeping, according to coach Marco van Basten.
Van Basten picked Real Madrid's Arjen Robben in place of Babel as a punishment after the Anfield player twice missed team meetings.
Van Basten said: "It was the second time that Babel overslept on a match day. That should never happen.
"That's why I left him out of the team. Robben trained hard and he is fit, so he played instead."
The coach added: "It is very likely that Babel feels disappointed. The first time he arrived too late, he settled the matter with a joke. The second time he joined us too late for the meal and that was a bit too much. He has to appear on time, just like all the others."
Babel, 20, came on as a 78th-minute substitute.
Van Basten picked Real Madrid's Arjen Robben in place of Babel as a punishment after the Anfield player twice missed team meetings.
Van Basten said: "It was the second time that Babel overslept on a match day. That should never happen.
"That's why I left him out of the team. Robben trained hard and he is fit, so he played instead."
The coach added: "It is very likely that Babel feels disappointed. The first time he arrived too late, he settled the matter with a joke. The second time he joined us too late for the meal and that was a bit too much. He has to appear on time, just like all the others."
Babel, 20, came on as a 78th-minute substitute.
