The Independent says Ballack was last night at the centre of a bizarre dispute between Chelsea, the German football federation (DFB) and his club's sponsors, Adidas, over whether he was allowed to remain in Germany for a film-shoot.

Ballack was understood to be despairing at Chelsea's failure to tell him if he could miss training today. Only last night was he finally told he had permission to remain in Germany after a wrangle that had lasted all weekend.

Despite attempts from the hierarchy of the DFB, including the assistant manager Oliver Bierhoff, and senior figures at Adidas to contact Chelsea, no answer had been received by later afternoon yesterday. Ballack was due to fly back to the UK in the early evening.

Adidas have an eight-year kit deal with Chelsea, signed last year and worth around £100m. It is understood the date for shooting the commercial was set at least four weeks ago.