Conspiracy or the Luka the draw?

CONSPIRACY theories come in various packages.

Some are credible, some seem outlandish but just have that worrying thread of truth, and others are just plain daft.

When Vlatko Markovic expounded his latest theory on the workings of international football he was definitely aiming at the latter category.

The president of the Croatian federation, Markovic stated the injury suffered by his country's star play-maker Luka Modric has left him wondering whether Croatia's top stars are being deliberately targeted for rough treatment in the Premier League.

Markovic unveiled his idea - which he may well later tote in Hollywood as a screenplay - after Spurs star Modric suffered a broken leg playing against Birmingham at the weekend.

The injury will sideline Modric for around two months, with Croatia set to face England in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Wednesday.

Markovic's theory is born out of the fact that Croatia's Arsenal striker Eduardo suffered an even more severe injury - also against Birmingham - in February 2008 which meant he was unavailable when the sides met in the reverse fixture in Zagreb last September.

"First Eduardo, now Luka Modric. This is horrible. I can only ask myself if it was really an accident," said Markovic.

"I'm close to thinking it was done to us deliberately before the England match. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what happened to Luka. He is irreplaceable."

It seems to me that if England and the Premiership clubs were in league in such a manner, how come more illustrious performers for higher-ranking nations than Croatia have not come a cropper - for example you could have wiped out the entire France side at one time in one game against Arsenal!

It seems to me there are two answers to this conspiracy theory.

Firstly, Mr Markovic tends to find that in maths tests he loses a mark for his answer to 'what is two plus two'.

Secondly, Brummies don't like Croatians.

CAPTION(S):

INJURY VICTIM: Spurs' Croatian star Luka Modric.