have i broke my clutch?

i had to remove the cluch release lever on my escort van and on refitting noticed that the shaft to which it connects now moves up and down about 1.5 cm. the clutch will now not ingage. where should it be up or down. my instincts tell me it should be up but it just drops on its own when in a curtain position. have i broke something inside? the clutch was fine this morning! and i only prized the lever off with a large screwdriver.