Breen excluded from Rally Germany

Craig Breen has been excluded from Rally Germany ahead of Thursday night's start of the Trier-based World Rally Championship qualifier.

The Irishman was notified of his exclusion today after a stewards' bulletin communicated concerns regarding a back injury Breen sustained during the last round of the series in Finland.

The bulletin stated: "Considering the potential for and consequence of a further situation occurring during the competition resulting in the loss of control of the car, in the interests of safety competitor number 14 cannot start the rally."

Breen was hospitalized for a night following a heavy landing on the final day of Rally Finland, but the Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver was given the all-clear to compete in Germany a week ago.

"First and foremost I have to say that I respect the stewards' decision. But obviously I'm deeply disappointed," Breen said. "I go from upset to calm to angry every two minutes. I'm particularly disappointed because I followed all the proper protocols to be here, including notifying my ASN and so on, and I just put everything I have into this event.

"So I'm really gutted. Now I'm working on proving that I'm fit and well for the Barum Rally next week."