Swiss captain Alex Frei injures right ankle hours before heading to South Africa

Switzerland captain Alex Frei injures ankle

GENEVA — Switzerland captain Alex Frei sprained his right ankle during the team’s final preparations before flying to South Africa on Wednesday for the World Cup.

Video footage on news website 20min.ch shows the FC Basel forward being treated on the pitch before limping off with a grimace at Zurich’s Letzigrund stadium.

Team doctor Cuno Wetzel confirmed the sprained ankle but said that was the extent of the injury. The 30-year-old Frei was able to join the team for its departure to South Africa.

“Even if he can’t make the first game, he can join us later in the tournament,” Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.

Frei is a key player in the Swiss team, which is in Group H with Spain, Chile and Honduras.