Italian media are weird people. They had the most interesting news of the World Cup 2008 in their hands, but they missed it. We obviously refer to the astonishing physical recovery experienced by Douglas Corsini "Perquinho", a kind of sport medicine case to be carefully studied. The strangest thing is another: nobody in Italy has talked about the Douglas Corsini serious injury, we wonder why.

As you know Perquinho's name was present in the 14 men definitive list of Italy until September 29th and disappeared the day after in "favour" of Jocimar (Jubanski). We were surprised by this fact, just becouse there was no mention on the Corsini serious injury in the previous press releases of the Divisione Calcio a 5.

On the opposite the only "physical" troubles reported since the italian arrival in Rio de Janeiro were referred to Dè (Pellegrini) and Seco (Zanetti), who were then both included in the final roster. On September 30th Nuccorini declared he was sorry for Corsini, as he deserved to take part in the World Cup, but he preferred the Jocimar experience. No mention, again, about the Corsini serious injury.

If you're wondering about what we're talking about, please have a look at the FIFA Futsal World Cup regulations in terms of players eligibility.

Article 22: "Player lists and official delegation lists". The final team list of the 14 players (two of whom shall be goalkeepers) selected to participate in the final competition shall be submitted to the FIFA general secretariat, using the official form, at least ten working days before the opening match of the final competition, as stipulated in the relevant circular. The players on the final team list must be chosen from the players on the provisional list. The final team list shall be accompanied, at a minimum, by the following information..... ecc ecc

then, keep on reading... point 4

A player listed on the final team list may be replaced only in the event of SERIOUS INJURY up until 24 hours before the kick-off of the team’s first match. Such replacements must be approved in writing by the FIFA Sports Medical Committee upon receipt and acceptance of a written detailed medical assessment. The FIFA Sports Medical Committee will issue a certificate stating that the injury is sufficiently serious to prevent the player from taking part in the final competition and hand over such certificate to the FIFA Organising Committee for approval. Upon approval, the association shall immediately nominate a replacement and inform the FIFA general secretariat accordingly.

So, if we have not misunderstood the text, the only chance for Jocimar to enter the 14 men list on September 30th was given by a serious injury suffered by one of his team mates.

And this is what exactly happened, becouse the Corsini injury was fully confirmed by FIFA staff, that reported to have got a medical certificate by the Italian side, absolutely and clearly demonstrating the Corsini illness.

We have tried to know more details about the injury (at least a generic indication of the physical problem) but nor Divisione Calcio a 5 press department neither FIFA have answered to our request of informations.

In any case, as it was proved the Perquinho injury and his need to be replaced, the magnificent news came from Rome, where the player immediately started to train with Lazio Colleferro as soon as he came back to Italy. Let us congratulate with Douglas for his impressive recovery and let's hope he won't suffer more injuries during this season.

Different destiny for the Japanese star of Caja Segovia Kensuke Takahashi, who suffered a knee injury and will have to wait at least some weeks before coming back on a futsal pitch. Good luck Kensuke!

Anyway, how great is futsal: sometimes you just need a 5-o-clock wake up in the morning and a Rio de Janeiro-Rome flight to feel better! Vamos Douglas, voce è craque! Below, two pictures of Douglas Corsini training in Colleferro, after his arrival in Italy (Photo courtesy: Lazio Colleferro)









Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com