Fulham Football Club News

• Nickname:Cottagers
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

• Ground:Craven Cottage
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Riise denies Duff criticism

09 Sep 2009 - 07:35:41

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Fulham new boy Bjorn Helge Riise has played down comments attributed to him which appeared to criticise some of his Cottagers team-mates.

The 26-year-old gave an interview to a Norwegian newspaper in which he seemed to aim fire at Damien Duff.

He was quoted as telling Norwegian newspaper Avisenes Nyhetsbyra: "I came from little Lillestrom in Norway, but players like Damien Duff have a name and status after playing for clubs like Newcastle and Chelsea and are ahead of me.

"I believe I have better qualities and strengths as a player than he does. He has the speed and the experience and a good shot.

"But he is not that much faster than I am and I have a better technique, a better touch and deliver better passes than he does."

However, a more humble 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."