Saturday 21 June 2014 18:06, UK
Switzerland defender Steve von Bergen is out of the World Cup with a fractured eye socket.
The centre-back, 31, injured his left eye in a collision with France striker Olivier Giroud during the 5-2 Group E defeat on Friday.
Von Bergen was withdrawn from the game in Salvador just eight minutes in, with a deep cut across his face, and was subsequently taken to hospital where a scan revealed the extent of the injury.
And a statement released by the Swiss FA on Saturday confirmed: "He will be repatriated as soon as possible to Switzerland, accompanied by Dr Roland Grossen, and he will then be cared for by specialists.”
Von Bergen should be regarded as a major loss to the Swiss, who beat Ecuador 2-1 in their opening game and seek a second win against Honduras next week to see them through to the last-16.
He has been capped 41 times for his country and become a regular in Ottmar Hitzfeld’s back four.
Philippe Senderos, who recently signed for Aston Villa, came on for Von Bergen and will likely continue in the heart of the defence for Switzerland.
Von Bergen plays his club football with Young Boys in his home country, having joined them from Palermo in 2013.
