Barcelona players Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho embraced during
training yesterday, publicly setting aside their dispute caused by
the Cameroon striker's recent comments.
The two players hugged each other at the start of training the
day after Eto'o criticized both the Brazilian and coach Frank
Rijkaard.
Eto'o lashed out out at Rijkaard on Tuesday after the Dutchman
stated he had refused to come on as a late substitute in Sunday's
2-0 victory at home to Racing Santander. "Telling a news conference
that I didn't want to play is the behaviour of a bad person," said
the Cameroonian.
Eto'o also had harsh words for team-mate Ronaldinho, who had
suggested the striker place team interest above his own. "If a
colleague comes out and says 'think about the team', then it should
be him who should be thinking about the team," Eto'o said.
Club captain Carles Puyol sought yesterday to play down the
whole affair, calling it a misunderstanding.
"We had a meeting between the captains of the team [Puyol and
Xavi] and then spoke to Ronaldinho and Eto'o because it was an
important matter to talk over together," said Puyol.
"What happened is that Ronnie's [Ronaldinho's] comments were
misinterpreted. During their meeting, it became clear that Ronnie
had not criticized Eto'o."
Barcelona's sports director Txiki Begiristain statedlast night
that Eto'o would not be sanctioned. Begiristain explained that
Rijkaard had requested the striker escape any punishment from his
belief that the players "can manage themselves". Begiristain was
quoted by sports daily Marca as saying the atmosphere around the
affair had been one of constant dialogue.
"Eto'o also has no problem with Rijkaard. I can assure you that
the whole matter has now been solved," added Puyol. "People think
that there is a time bomb in the dressing room, but that isn't
true. Rijkaard has got the team under control. Eto'o has a good
relationship with the rest of the group and the atmosphere is
good."
(China Daily via The Scotsman February 15, 2007)