FAUSTINO ASPRILLA has been kicked out of the World Cup following an amazing bust-up with Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez. Coming just two days after England beat Tunisia in Marseille, news of the former Newcastle star's absence comes as a major boost to England's chances of progressing to the second round. Asprilla was easily Colombia's most dangerous player in their opening clash with Romania and England's defence will now face the weakened South Americans on June 26 more confident than ever of keeping a clean sheet.



Angry at being substituted in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Romania, Asprilla went public on his disapproval in a radio interview. He accused Gomez of favourtism for taking him off, even though there were just five minutes left when the coach made his swap. Gomez' reply was equally forceful, publicly telling the Parma man that he could go home if he was unhappy. And when Asprilla failed to turn up for yesterday's training session at La Tour Du Pin in eastern France, Gomez confirmed the striker's World Cup was over.
"We didn't throw him out, the decision was his," said Gomez, who cannot replace the 28-year-old in his squad. "If you don't obey the rules, you're out. We can't have that type of criticism. It's upset me that this has happened."