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Van Basten slams Ruud behaviour

06/10/2005

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been reprimanded by his national team coach Marco van Basten following a training ground bust-up with a team-mate.

The prolific Manchester United star got embroiled in a fiery clash with AZ Alkmaar defender Ron Vlaar and Van Nistelrooy is alleged to have stamped on Vlaar while he was still on the floor following a challenge.

Holland are preparing to face Czech Republic and Macedonia in their World Cup qualifying double-header and Van Basten was aggrieved to have to deal with this distraction.

"I indeed reprimanded Ruud and for me the case is now closed," the Dutch footballing legend said.

"We train always on the knife edge with a lot of emotion but I explained to Ruud that it is important that we control our emotions and treat team-mates with respect.

"Saturday will be an important match for both teams and the Czechs will do whatever is needed to win."

Van Basten insisted the United forward apologise to Vlaar to ease dressing room tensions, which he did, pinning the blame squarely on himself.

"I spoke with the group and apologised to the player," Van Nistelrooy said.

"Sometimes I have a problem to keep my self control, it happens to me. In training I give everything."

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