LONDON, England (AP) -- Andriy Shevchenko and Chelsea denied on Tuesday that he had refused to travel to Liverpool for the second leg of the Champions League semifinal in a dispute over his playing status.
"He suffered an injury during training on Sunday and it was decided after training that he was not fit to play against Liverpool and therefore, like other injured players, did not travel," Chelsea said in a statement.
Shevchenko said he aggravated a groin injury in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday, a result which virtually ended the Blues' Premier League title hopes.
"I am really sorry to miss the match and can't be with the team to help and support them in what must be one of the most important games in Chelsea's history," Shevchenko said on his official Web site.
"I will remain in London and work hard on my rehabilitation to ensure I can make myself available as soon as possible."
British newspapers reported on Tuesday that Shevchenko refused to join the team in Liverpool when he learned he would not start Tuesday night's game.
Shevchenko has scored 14 goals in 51 games for Chelsea. He played in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League first leg semifinal on Wednesday, and was substituted at halftime in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday.
That draw virtually ended Chelsea's hopes of winning its third straight Premier League title.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
"He suffered an injury during training on Sunday and it was decided after training that he was not fit to play against Liverpool and therefore, like other injured players, did not travel," Chelsea said in a statement.
Shevchenko said he aggravated a groin injury in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday, a result which virtually ended the Blues' Premier League title hopes.
"I am really sorry to miss the match and can't be with the team to help and support them in what must be one of the most important games in Chelsea's history," Shevchenko said on his official Web site.
"I will remain in London and work hard on my rehabilitation to ensure I can make myself available as soon as possible."
British newspapers reported on Tuesday that Shevchenko refused to join the team in Liverpool when he learned he would not start Tuesday night's game.
Shevchenko has scored 14 goals in 51 games for Chelsea. He played in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League first leg semifinal on Wednesday, and was substituted at halftime in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday.
That draw virtually ended Chelsea's hopes of winning its third straight Premier League title.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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