Sir Alex Ferguson has been accused of lying over Wayne Rooney's mystery illness.
The Manchester United striker has been ruled out of the opening matches of the new season with a virus that Ferguson claimed had been contracted during the club's brief trip to Nigeria two weeks ago.
"It's a virus he's picked up in Nigeria, I believe, and it's not a nice one," Ferguson told reporters on Tuesday.
But Ferguson's comments have sparked outrage in the country, with Bassey Ndem, an organiser of the tour, telling The Sun: "They did not catch it in Nigeria.
"It's a lie from the pit of hell and it's sad someone had to go to that length to degrade Nigeria. Rooney only sat in his hotel room. He was in Nigeria for less than 24 hours."
United have yet to release any details about Rooney's illness, other than insisting the forward was not suffering from malaria.
In his press conference, Ferguson claimed that the only medication the United party took before the trip were anti-malaria tablets, although it has since been reported that they were also given injections for yellow fever and hepatitis.
Your Comments
hanyefres
"no one cares why rooney got sick... fact is he's ill and he will miss the start of the season... apart from a handful of utd fans who cares???"
meeself
"the little swollen scouser has probably fraternised slightly too closely to a few of Nigeria's elder stateswomen! he has a penchant for the more muture lady, per his previous form!! poor Mrs R!!!"
PopularPete
"So if he's gone green he'll look even more like Shrek."
Tricky_Trev
"He is grand. Its probably just a common case of sore nob from rattling some auld one out of it. Good on him I say."
ColeStar
"Paulopeach: Stay away from that copy of the Daily Mail!"
bgy5dj
"Why would United have any axe to grind about Nigeria? What a silly, silly man this Ndem is."
howlong
"Colly22 not sure about old trafford been the pit of hell as the captains suite and legends suite serve surprisingly good food and the drinks are not too bad either!"
howlong
"Colly22 not sure about old trafford been the pit of hell as the captains suite and legends suite serve surprisingly good food and the drinks are not too bad either!"
Javier
"Jokes aside, some folks should really put this in perspective. Coz anyone could fall sick when they travel. That guy is just being too defensive and over-reacting"
mikeCT
"Haha... this is very funny. I was in Cape Town during Utd's tour to South Africa. Rooney was out partying in the city after utd's game against Kaizer Cheifs. As one can imagine he was quite a hit with the local ladies."
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