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Catalan radio:’Messi out for ten days, not twenty’

Catalan radio station RAC-1 has dispelled fears that the Argentinian star would be out for approximately three weeks following a hamstring injury sustained on Tuesday night's game against PSG.

Published: 3 April 2013 13:38 CEST
Catalan radio:'Messi out for ten days, not twenty'
Lionel Messi holds his leg during the Champions League quarter-final. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP

This would mean Messi would probably be available to play the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris side.

Barcelona fans will still have to wait for the doctor's official diagnosis to determine the severity of the Argentinian star's hamstring injury. 

The World Player of the Year put the visitors in front on Tuesday night with a trademark left-footed finish seven minutes before half-time.

He was withdrawn at the break after pulling up with a hamstring problem.

"The club's medical services have informed that Leo Messi suffered an injury in his right hamstring," said a statement on the club's website.

"Tests will be carried out on Wednesday to determine the exact extent of the injury."

And there was more bad news for the La Liga leaders as Javier Mascherano has been ruled out for six weeks after he was stretchered off six minutes from time with a nasty-looking knee injury.

"The medical services of the club confirmed at the end of the game that the Barca number 16 has suffered a tear of the internal lateral ligament in his right knee," said another statement from the club on their website.

"Mascherano was injured in the second-half in an accidental clash with Jordi Alba, who fell on top of his leg.

"If he completes the estimated time out of six weeks, Mascherano will arrive back just in time for the final part of the season."

The former Liverpool man's absence leaves Barca short of fit defenders for the return leg at the Camp Nou next week.

Carles Puyol and Adriano have already been ruled out with long-term injuries, so the inexperienced Marc Bartra or Alex Song will likely have to partner Gerard Piqué in defence.

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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