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Tuesday, 4th November, 2014







Sweden international Rasmus Elm, once one of the hottest properties in European football, is at serious risk of dying if he continues to play football with a chronic stomach illness, CKSA Moscow president Yevgeni Giner has revealed.

Elm, who was chased by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton just two years ago, and even admitted turning down approaches from two of the three, joined CSKA Moscow instead in 2012.











However, the midfielder may now never play football again, with the diagnosis of his stomach condition extremely serious.



As far as Giner can see, Elm's future in the game is bleak, with the Russian supremo warning nine out of ten players with the condition are forced to retire.

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"Elm is seriously ill", the CSKA Moscow president told the Moskovsky Komsomolets.

"He is not able to train and he's staying in Sweden. As soon as he exerts himself, he has bleeding in his stomach.

"The chances are that he will never play again", Giner continued.

"Of the ten footballers who have this disease, about nine do not play any more.

"He is at risk of dying if he continues playing football.

"The important thing is his health and we'll comply with all the terms of the contract."

Giner also waved away talk that Elm has fallen out with CSKA Moscow and explained he would be overjoyed in the Swede beat the odds and continued his career.

"Elm is a great player and a good person.

"Stories about a conflict between him and the club are not true. He has to obtain treatment in Russia and Sweden.

"At one point he felt better, but he still could not train.

"He used hormonal drugs, which are considered doping in spots.

"If Rasmus can ever play football again then I will jump on the table with joy", concluded Giner.



Elm could have been playing his football in Liverpool had he opted to accept offers from either Liverpool or Everton before joining CSKA Moscow.

At the time the talented midfielder claimed the Russian capital suited him better than Liverpool.

He said: "There were other options, but I got the right feeling about CSKA. There was indeed contact with Liverpool, and before [I joined] AZ I spoke to Everton.

"But I must say that I find Moscow a much nicer city than Liverpool."

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