Freddie Bust-Up Forgotten

Olof Mellberg comes face-to-face with Freddie Ljungberg tomorrow insisting their World Cup bust-up is now firmly in the past.

The pair clashed in the build-up to the opening group game against England in June. But by the time pictures of the training camp incident were being beamed around the world, they were making up over a game of table tennis.

And Mellberg insists the clash will not be an issue at Highbury tomorrow. He reflected: ˇ§We've spoken since the incident in Japan. To be honest, it's all forgotten about now. I'll shake hands with him on the day and then get on with the game.

"At the time it was heated, but we were both smiling about it 15 minutes later. Afterwards we had a game of table tennis and relaxed.

"I put it down to the fact that there was a lot of tension in the squad. We had a good team spirit. But the England game wasn't too far away, and we really wanted to do well in that match.

"It was out of character for both of us really. Freddie is a very emotional guy but he lost it at the time - and so did I.

"We knew it would be big news because it was an open training session, and there were cameras everywhere.

"Some people even said it was the kind of thing that brought the squad closer and helped us have a good World Cup - although I realise if we'd gone home early and played badly, the same people would have pointed to the fight between me and Freddie."