BREAKING NEWS: World Cup over for Croatia’s Kalinic

Croatia have sent AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic home from the World Cup due to a back problem, head coach Zlatko Dalic has confirmed.

Reports emerged earlier on Monday that Kalinic had refused to come off the bench during his country’s opening 2-0 win over Nigeria in Group D, citing his back complaint.

Speaking after Saturday’s match, Dalic told reporters his side had finished the 90 minutes without injuries but “with a problem”.

However, Dalic told a specially arranged news conference that Kalinic would depart Croatia’s team base in Roschino but due to recurring back spasms, as opposed to any disciplinary issue.