JANUARY 29, 2014

Manager denies doctors to end Schumacher coma

Michael Schumacher's manager has played down reports the Grenoble hospital is preparing to bring the great German out of his month-long coma.

The news was reported by France's influential sports daily L'Equipe, following an extended period in which official information about former Mercedes and Ferrari driver Schumacher, 45, had dried up as his medical condition stabilised.

But L'Equipe on Wednesday reported that Schumacher has now entered a recovery phase, with doctors aiming to gradually ease the seven time world champion out of his deep state of induced coma.

"I stress again that any statements about Michael's health that do not originate from the treating medical team or his management are to be regarded as speculation," Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said in a new press statement.

"I repeat that we will not comment on such speculation."

(GMM)