WORLD CUP SOCCER
Guimaraes Denies Martinez Was Allowed to Play Injured
Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes has denied that defender Gilberto Martinez played injured in his team's 4-2 loss to Germany in the opening match of the World Cup on Friday.

The 26-year old Martinez was forced to leave the field in the 61st minute and doctors said he will miss the rest of the tournament because of tendinitis in his left leg.

Guimaraes said the Brescia player was healthy before the game against Germany.

Martinez reported some minor pain the morning before the match, and team doctor Gerardo Artavia said he was examined and found to be in good condition.

"I've had this tendinitis since may, but it had been well treated to avoid a recurrence, and I was feeling well," Martinez said.

But 61 minutes into the game, Martinez left the field limping.

"Neither Martinez nor any other player was allowed to play injured," the doctor said. "We were not thinking only on the inaugural match but also on the following ones.

"Besides, with think of our players not only as such, but also as human beings," Artavia said.

Artavia admitted that some players may lie and insist on playing while injured if they think that a match can be a route to better professional contracts.