By DPA,
Stockholm: Sweden captain Henrik Larsson is unlikely to play in the next World Cup qualifier Wednesday against Malta after the death of his younger brother, reports said Sunday.
Larsson has left the squad and is with his family, Swedish team spokesman Thomas Saleteg told reporters.
Larsson, 37, was informed about the death of his brother after the World Cup qualifier against Denmark ended Saturday, and was later comforted by fellow teammates and coach Lars Lagerback among others.
There was no immediate information on the cause of death.
The visiting arch rivals won 1-0 and Sweden’s hopes of qualifying to the 2010 football World Cup finals in South Africa were regarded as slim.
Denmark tops the group that includes Hungary, Portugal, Malta and Albania.
Larsson is one of Sweden’s most seasoned players with appearances at three World Cup finals (1994, 2002 and 2006) and European championships (2000, 2004 and 2008).
He has played for Feyenoord Rotterdam, Glasgow Celtic, Barcelona and in 2007 was briefly on loan to Manchester United from his current club, Helsingborgs IF.