Patrice Evra v Robert Duverne and the top 10 training ground bust-ups
Patrice Evra has added to the chaos already surrounding the France World Cup camp by having a training ground bust-up with fitness coach Robert Duverne.
Watch the incredible video of the fight here .
But the French pair aren't the first professionals to have a training-ground tussle. From Ruud versus Ronaldo, to Hartson v Berkovic, the "bust-up" has become an established part of football lore.
Here,
MirrorFootball
presents the definitive list of the 10 best training ground rucks…
10) Freddie Ljungberg v Olof Mellberg
The two Swedish stars went toe to toe during a training session at the 2002 World Cup after Ljungberg was felled by an overenthusiastic challenge from the beefy defender. The pair later made up, before falling out all over again four years later at half-time during a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and Tobago.
9) Alessandro Del Piero v Claudio Ranieiri
The Juventus captain took on the Tinkerman during a crisis meeting to discuss the Bianconeri's erratic form in October 2008. It didn't go down too well with Del Piero, who reportedly told Ranieri, "I'm not the problem", before stomping off the training pitch in a huff.
8) Robin van Persie v Wesley Sneijder
The Holland pair maintained the long and noble tradition of Dutch footballers having a barney on the eve of a big tournament, when Van Persie reportedly kicked Sneijder during a training session before Euro 2008, forcing him to go to hospital for treatment. RvP later pouted that Sneijder lacked "class" after a squabble over a disputed free-kick.
7) Charles N'Zogbia v Andy Carroll
The Magpies duo had a spat during Newcastle's disastrous 2008/09 campaign, after Carroll made a late challenge on his team-mate in a training match. The pair reportedly had to be "dragged apart" after a brief bout of fisticuffs, doing little for poor old Joe Kinnear's health.
6) Goce Sedloski v Goran Popov
Macedonia's preparations for a World Cup qualifier against Spain ended in a right dust-up last month, all thanks to an innocent game of head tennis. Things turned nasty when captain Goce Sedloski kicked Goran Popov in the face. Popov promptly stormed off, only for Sedloski to call him a chicken before, in scenes reminiscent of a Kat Slater catfight in the Queen Vic, giving him a slap across the mush. Peggy Mitchell wouldn't have stood for it.
5) John Terry v Henk Ten Cate
In 2008, Chelsea skipper had a "heated discussion" with Dutch coach Henk ten Cate on the day before the Carling Cup final, according to "eyewitnesses" who claimed the pair had to be torn apart amid a barrage of swear words and insults. Ten Cate later explained it all away, revealing that he is just an "emotional guy" who just thought JT was training too hard.
4) Patrick Vieira v Zlatan Ibrahimovic
In 2006, the former Arsenal skipper took on his Juventus team-mate after a pass went astray during a practice match. The Frenchman confronted Ibrahimovic over his error, and reportedly had to be dragged off the Swede by coach Fabio Capello. Nice to know the England boss doesn't stand for any messing…
3) Cristiano Ronaldo v Ruud van Nistelrooy
The Manchester United team-mates fell out in training in 2006 after the Dutchman got narked over Ronaldo's ball-hogging. The duo squared up as Van Nistelrooy said "yeah yeah, go running to your dad". RvN had been mocking Ronaldo's fondness for telling tales to Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, but Ronaldo, whose own dad had died just months before, didn't see it the same way. The Dutchman exited Old Trafford soon after.
2) Robbie Fowler v Phil Thompson
The man the Kop christened God caused Phil Thompson to utter one or two blasphemous words after a training ground spat in August 2001. Fowler mis-hit a fizzing shot that missed the Liverpool coach's nose by millimetres. Thompson reacted furiously, and Robbie left Anfield months later. Let's hope Merse never spills Thommo's coffee, otherwise it'll be carnage on Soccer Saturday.
1) John Hartson v Eyal Berkovic
Eleven years on, the face-off between the Hammers team-mates remains the daddy of the training ground bust-up. Following a crunching tackle, Hartson attempted to help Berkovic to his feet. But the Israeli punched the Welshman in the thigh, prompting Hartson to kick Berkovic in the face. It didn't exactly help matters that the entire incident was captured on camera, and, to date, has been watched 183,572 times on YouTube. Sorry, make that 183,573…
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
Column
Reflecting, reading and not being Redknapp: Hodgson is under fire over the three Rs
Oliver Holt 22:30 01/05/12In the circumstances, Roy Hodgson did pretty well when he was introduced to the media as the new Eng... Read More+
