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."
football365.
