Training camp bust up/newspaper rumours

[MrMichael]

Yep. What is the difference between this and the SG threads about his family and rumours etc that were locked?

Well, this stems from newspaper reports, even if those papers aren't fit to be toilet paper, and although heavily exaggerated, appear to have a modicum of substance, while the SG stuff was entirely malicious, fabricated, and non-football related rumour-mongering - imo there is a slight difference. However I don't think we need 2 threads about all this, so I'm going to merge them.

[Helios Creed]

Bellamy hit Riise because he refused to sing in the karaoke

Riise must have a really good voice.

[Jayesh87]

OFFICIAL LIVERPOOL FC STATEMENT
Paul Eaton 18 February 2007

Liverpool FC have today released the following statement from manager Rafael Benitez
"I met this morning with the entire first team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.

"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken.

"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona on Wednesday.

"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough game against the defending European Champions."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70218-1547.htm

[bazza76]

Is it really that big a deal? If true its two players who've had a row, hardly an earth shattering development in a group of about 30 men is it?

No.
But, when the players know how the press and everyone else will react to this, and know its going to cause unrest within the squad and it is an big distraction that we dont need......................

[kurtangle01]

Riise must have a really good voice.

[Assassin]

Benitez, who the reports claim was incensed by the shenanigans, has issued a statement saying breaches of club rules will not be tolerated.

He said: "I met this morning with the entire first-team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.

"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal.

"I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken"

[Jayesh87]

OFFICIAL LIVERPOOL FC STATEMENT
Paul Eaton 18 February 2007

Liverpool FC have today released the following statement from manager Rafael Benitez
"I met this morning with the entire first team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.

"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken.

"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona on Wednesday.

"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough game against the defending European Champions."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70218-1547.htm

IMO Rafa is not someone who will forget, whoever caused any problems will be gone in the summer.

[Marky]

ITS ALL RIISE'S FAULT, HE WANTED ROOM SERVICE
HE WANTED A SANDWEDGE!!

















copied from another lfc forum

[livvy145]

From Sky Sports

Hareide: Riise okay


Norway boss Age Hareide has revealed that John Arne Riise escaped uninjured from Liverpool's trip to Portugal.

The Reds' jaunt to the Algarve hogged the spotlight for all the wrong reasons on Sunday, as the trip made front page headlines following reports of a brawl at the club's training base.

It has been claimed that Riise came off worse following a brawl with team-mate Craig Bellamy.

Norway coach Hareide was concerned by the reports and contacted his fellow countryman, but was informed the defender had suffered no serious injuries.

"I got to talk to John Arne and things in general are not good, but in any case things are okay with John Arne," Hareide told VG.

"That is the most important thing. He escaped without injuries."

[Maestro]

Is it really that big a deal? If true its two players who've had a row, hardly an earth shattering development in a group of about 30 men is it?

You could nearly say it was par for the course...

[kurtangle01]

OFFICIAL LIVERPOOL FC STATEMENT
Paul Eaton 18 February 2007

Liverpool FC have today released the following statement from manager Rafael Benitez
"I met this morning with the entire first team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.

"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken.

"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona on Wednesday.

"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough game against the defending European Champions."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70218-1547.htm

If Craig Bellamy had hit Riise with a golf club it would have been more than a fine that he got. He would have been locked up in some grotty Portugese slammer.

I made the point last night that we'll probably never know the facts because the club will play it down where as the press will sensationalise the story.

All we need to know is that the matter has or at least will be dealt with and we'll move on. Hopefully the stories haven't caused to much disruption.

Bring on Barca.

[sean_lfc]

Maybe this whole shebang with the press etc. will bring the lads more together and make us even more determined and tight-knit ahead of the game. Things like these happen, men, drink, puff puff plop, not the first time it's happened in this universe and not the last. Time to move on, Rafa strikes me as someone who is authoritarian and will sort it out.

[Diego]

From Sky Sports

Hareide: Riise okay


Norway boss Age Hareide has revealed that John Arne Riise escaped uninjured from Liverpool's trip to Portugal.

The Reds' jaunt to the Algarve hogged the spotlight for all the wrong reasons on Sunday, as the trip made front page headlines following reports of a brawl at the club's training base.

It has been claimed that Riise came off worse following a brawl with team-mate Craig Bellamy.

Norway coach Hareide was concerned by the reports and contacted his fellow countryman, but was informed the defender had suffered no serious injuries.

"I got to talk to John Arne and things in general are not good, but in any case things are okay with John Arne," Hareide told VG.

"That is the most important thing. He escaped without injuries."

this confirms bells attack on him, bells is in big big trouble, trying to bash another players legs we'll see if he plays against barca, if he doesn't then he's ****ed imo...

[sean_lfc]

this confirms bells attack on him, bells is in big big trouble, trying to bash another players legs we'll see if he plays against barca, if he doesn't then he's ****ed imo...

Where does it say anything about legs? This is the whole problem with press shenanigans, no one was actually there and saw what happened. I believe there might have been an altercation with those two, but to jump the gun and actually believe the golf club story smacks of ignorance.
We don't know exactly what happened and will probably never find out, so to lambast certain players and mentally confirm one possible outcome of the event doesn't click with me. I am sure Rafa will speak to the players in no uncertain terms and deal with the matter. Ruthless he is and that's good enough for me.

[AFII]

"but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal."


It sounds like he doesn't know exactly what happened yet.