Germany and Borussia Dortmund's veteran defender Christian Wörns has been told by Germany head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann that he will not be selected for the Germany squad in this summer's World Cup Finals after Wörns criticised Klinsmann’s team selections.

33 year-old Wörns was hugely disappointed at not being picked by Klinsmann for the World Cup warm-up against Italy next Wednesday, saying he was unhappy at both his non-selection and the fact that Klinsmann didn’t inform him personally.

“It is a huge disappointment, both in style and substance, because I was informed of my non-selection by a journalist and not by the coach,” said Wörns after the Germany squad was unveiled.

"I'm extremely disappointed, especially about the way this was done," Worns said. "Klinsmann just left a message on my answering machine. That's not the fair English gentlemanly way to do it."

The defender continued: "It's been said that nominations are based on performance. But if I'm not on the team now then that's not apparently the case." Wörns added: "They should openly tell me that it's not performance but rather that someone can't stand my face."

Klinsmann reacted angrily to his statement and said: “His comments are completely incomprehensible to me, and we cannot accept what he has said.”

"The suggestion that performance is not a criterion for making the national team shows an utter lack of respect.

"Performance is, and remains our most important criterion," said Klinsmann.

"His critical comments aren't understood by us at all and we can't accept his behavior,'' said Klinsmann, adding Wörns would no longer be considered for the squad.

"This decision is a clear signal - everybody has to work for the common good in the coming weeks and their own interests can't play a role."

Germany, who will be hosting the 2006 World Cup Finals will be meeting Italy in Florence on March 1 for their international friendly against Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri.

Germany have been drawn in Group A in the Finals, with Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.

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