Czech soccer midfielder Vladimir Smicer will not participate in the forthcoming World Cup in Germany due to his injured knee, he said Thursday.

Smicer made his final decision Thursday morning after consultations with doctors and Czech coach Karel Brueckner.

"It was not easy. It was emotional, even with tears. But it wouldn't be fair if I took part in the tournament not being able to help the team," he said.

Smicer will be replaced by Libor Sionko who has been a substitute of the 23-member Czech national team, the team's spokesman Lukas Tucek said. He added that Sprata's midfielder Tomas Sivok was additionally invited to the team as the first substitute.

Smicer, 33, who plays with the team of Bordeaux, got injured during a French league match in late February. He started to play again, but his injury returned during the Czech team's training in Seefeld, Austria, last week.

The Czechs will play the USA in their World Cup first match on June 12.