Riise denies criticism

08 September 2009 18:36
Bjorn Helge Riise claims he has been misunderstood following reported criticism of his Fulham team-mates. The Norwegian midfielder, who moved to Craven Cottage over the summer, was quoted as saying that some players were making the side ahead of him because they have bigger reputations. Riise also said he had a 'better technique, better touch and could deliver better passes' than fellow winger Damien Duff. The interview was held with Norwegian newspaper Avisenes Nyhetsbyra and Riise insists the message he meant to get across was lost in translation when reported back in England. Clarifying his remarks, Riise told VG Nett: "I just want to say that I have never complained about a player in any of the clubs that I have played in. "If I chose to promote my own advantages and my confidence, it is always interpreted as if I am talking negatively about my team-mates. That is wrong. "I have spoken to the manager and Damien Duff and everyone at Fulham. They told me it is cool, that this is nothing. "(Roy) Hodgson told me not to lose any sleep because of this." Riise's older brother, Roma defender John Arne, backed up the story after sitting in on the initial interview. "He was misinterpreted and misunderstood, and it is written in a different manner than it was spoken," said the former Liverpool man. "That's the way they are. They can take something small and twist it into something big."

Source: SKY_Sports