体坛英语新闻：Drogba cleared to play with cast against Portugal

PORT ELIZABETH, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire forward Didier Drogba has been given the green light by FIFA to play with a protective cast on his arm for the World Cup Group G encounter against Portugal.

The Chelsea forward's participation had been in doubt after he broke his right arm in a friendly match against Japan in the build-up to the World Cup on June 4.

A special lightweight cast was placed on his arm after an operation on the fracture, and FIFA said Tuesday that the cast was approved after examination by the match referee and Portuguese team officials.

FIFA's head of media Nicolas Maingot said: "Regarding Didier Drogba, the referee of the match Jorge Larrionda has okeyed the cast which Didier Drogba will use to play. The cast has been seen by the Portuguese delegation."