Jol plays down Riise bust-up

Fulham manager Martin Jol denies reports of a rift between himself and defender John Arne Riise.

Last Updated: 17/01/13 at 20:04 Post Comment   

John Arne Riise: No rift with Jol

John Arne Riise: No rift with Jol

It had been suggested the two had been involved in a training-ground altercation, with Riise's brother, Bjorn Helge - himself a former Fulham player - quoted in the Norwegian press criticising Jol's managerial style.

But Jol, 57, feels his relationship with 32-year-old Riise has only deteriorated slightly as a result of the Norway international being dropped from the Cottagers starting line-up.

"My relationship was fantastic and is probably still okay, it is still good," he said. "You know as well as I do that it is the same all the time in England, if a player isn't playing the reason is a bust-up, but I never had a bust-up with any player."

Jol explained that the decision to drop John Arne Riise followed a number of poor results and that he expects the former Liverpool man to work hard to regain his place.

"I wanted to change a couple of things after the Liverpool game and that is what we did," added Jol. "He will fight for his place like any other player would do if he isn't playing."

With Keiran Richardson and Matthew Briggs as options at left-back, Jol admits Riise may leave Craven Cottage but he will leave that decision up to the player.

"That is speculation unless there is a club coming in for him, and I told him I have got a few other options there, if he is doing better in certain areas he will be a very good player for me and if not I have got other options," added Jol. "Obviously players want to play and if he is not playing the next couple of weeks it is up to him (if he wants to leave)."

Jol also revealed that Bjorn Helge Riise had contacted the club to deny making the alleged inflammatory remarks about the Fulham boss.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Titus Bramble confirms exit from Sunderland via his personal Twitter account

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has confirmed his exit from the club after three years at the Stadium of Light.

UEFA to impose 10-match European ban for players and officials found guilty of racism

UEFA has ratified a proposal to impose a 10-match European ban for players and officials found guilty of racism.

Hodgson's plea to supporters

Roy Hodgson has urged England fans not to sing "religious or political" songs during the friendly with the Republic of Ireland.

Mail Box

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved