World Cup: Soccer legend blames immigration Minister for Dutch World Cup failure

27.06.2006 05:59

Cruyff said her decision not to grant Ivory Coast winger Salomon Kalou Dutch citizenship deprived the team of a strong attacking option.

As a result, "Holland were put in a situation that if (wingers) Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were not playing well there was no alternative," Cruyff said. "Salomon Kalou would have given us one."

Cruyff, star of the 1974 national team widely regarded as the best side never to win the World Cup, went as far as accusing Verdonk, nicknamed Iron Rita for her strict interpretation of Dutch immigration laws, of damaging the national interest by refusing to fast-track the Feyenoord star's application for citizenship so he could play at the Finals, according to the AP.

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