Galatasaray insist Elmander should not play against France

Jun 18, 2012 10:00:00 AM

A board member of the Turkish giants believes there is no need for the striker to feature in Sweden's last Euro 2012 match with les Bleus on Tuesday

Galatasaray board member Bulent Tulun has questioned the motives behind the possibility of Johan Elmander lining up in Sweden's last game of their Euro 2012 campaign against France.

The Blagult cannot qualify from Group D after they lost both of their previous two games to Ukraine and England, leaving them afoot of the pool.

This coupled with Elmander's recent foot injury has led to the Turkish club stating that the 31-year-old would be best served to miss the match on Tuesday.

"The match is just a formality for Sweden," Tulun told SPORT-Expressen. “But I think all the players, including Johan, are professional in terms of preparing themselves properly.

"I do not know what [Erik] Hamren's thoughts are in reference to picking the team. We'll see.

"But for us, it's better if he sits on the bench."

The Aslanlar finished the season as champions of the Turkish Super Lig, with the former Bolton ace contributing 12 goals in 36 appearances, but has failed to find the net in Poland and Ukraine to date.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Preview: Siena - AC Milan
Massimiliano Allegri's men are in control of their own destiny and only need to better Fiorentina's result to qualify for next season's Champions League
Preview: Barcelona - Real Valladolid
The Catalan giants clinched the league title last weekend and could rack up a century of points in La Liga if they win their three remaining matches for the season
Transfer Talk: Ancelotti set to depart PSG
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
In Pictures: Beckham's emotional farewell
After a fairytale 20-year career in which he has scaled the peaks of football, Becks brought the curtain down on his playing days by captaining PSG to a 3-1 win over Brest on Saturday
Cartoon: The EPL's Golden oldies take to the stage
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day