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Dakar Rally

Villas-Boas withdraws from Dakar Rally after being hospitalised

Andre Villas-Boas was hospitalised on Tuesday due to back pain sustained in an accident when the Overdrive Toyota driver hit a dune in Peru.

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Portuguese driver and former head coach of British football teams Chelsea and Tottenham, Andre Villas Boas is pictured after a press conference ahead of the 2018 Dakar Rally, which this year will thunder through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina from January 6 to 20. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE
FRANCK FIFEAFP

Andre Villas-Boas' Dakar Rally debut ended in the fourth stage after the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager was taken to hospital following a crash.

Dune accident ends Villas-Boas race

Villas-Boas was hospitalised on Tuesday due to back pain sustained in an accident when the Overdrive Toyota driver hit a dune during the San Juan de Marcona stage in Peru, according to reports. 

André Villas-Boas and co-pilot Ruben Faria prepare for the start of the Rally Dakar on Saturday 6 January 2018, in Lima (Peru).
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André Villas-Boas and co-pilot Ruben Faria prepare for the start of the Rally Dakar on Saturday 6 January 2018, in Lima (Peru).Ernesto AriasEFE

"Andre was taken to the hospital with a back injury. It was unfortunate for Andre, who was making a very positive debut in the Dakar," Overdrive team director Jean-Marc Fortin was quoted as saying.

Villas Boas surprisingly turned his attention from football to motorsport and the Dakar Rally following his departure from Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.

Andre Villas Boas of Portugal and Overdrive Toyota and his co-driver Ruben Faria of Portugal climb back into their Toyota Overdrive car in the Classe : T1.1 : 4x4 Essence during stage four of the 2018 Dakar Rally, a loop stage to and from San Juan de Marcona on January 9, 2018.
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Andre Villas Boas of Portugal and Overdrive Toyota and his co-driver Ruben Faria of Portugal climb back into their Toyota Overdrive car in the Classe : T1.1 : 4x4 Essence during stage four of the 2018 Dakar Rally, a loop stage to and from San Juan de Marcona on January 9, 2018.Dan IstiteneGetty Images

The 40-year-old Portuguese head coach led SIPG to second in the CSL last season and the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in his first year in charge, before being replaced by countryman Vitor Pereira.