Ballack remains as Germany captain: Loew (AFP)

AFP/DDP/File – Chelsea star Michael Ballack(L) will remain as Germany captain despite his criticism of Joachim Loew, … BERLIN (AFP) – Chelsea star Michael Ballack will remain as Germany captain despite his criticism of Joachim Loew, the national coach Loew announced. Ballack had flown from London to Frankfurt on Thursday to apologise directly to Loew for a newspaper interview last week in which he said the coach should show his senior players more loyalty and respect after veteran midfielder Torsten Frings was dropped. Ballack, 32, apologised last weekend in a press release, but Loew insisted the Chelsea midfielder fly to the German Football Federation (DFB) offices in Frankfurt to meet face-to-face on Thursday and explain his comments. Munich newspaper Abendzeitung claimed on Thursday that Ballack was set to resign as... [read full story]