Agent blasts journalist for sparking Riise concerns

Last updated : 18 April 2002 By Kop Talk News


John Arne Riise's agent Einar Baardsen has blasted newspaper reports claiming that the player was on a collision course with Gerard Houllier because of possible interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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It's been a week of worrying but entertaining speculation
Yesterday's Liverpool Echo suggested that Baardsen was happy "to court the attention of rival teams", a comment that hasn't gone down well with Baardsen and one that could unsettle the player.

Speaking to Ananova.com, Riise's agent blasted the journalist concerned.

"I have not spoken about John to anyone. I am very surprised and disturbed, as there are no truth in these stories," said Baardsen, who wanted to calm fears amongst supporters that the player was secretly looking for a move.

"The original story is an old one," he added. "Several months ago, a Spanish paper wrote that Real Madrid were interested in John. I'd never heard about it, but the story was picked up by a paper in England.

"Liverpool obviously heard and spoke to John who told them he was unaware of anything. The club then came out and denied the story.

"A few days later, someone from Spain called me asking about the Real story. I told them what I knew, and asked why they were interested - the person then told me Barcelona might be interested in him.

"I've told everyone who will listen that John is still at Liverpool, he loves it, he is still developing and is very happy at the club. He has not talked to anyone - and I'll be talking to Gerard Houllier about this as soon as possible."

Ironically in one of the offending reports in the Echo yesterday, the journalist concerned blasted rumours claiming that Didi Hamann had requested a transfer, calling it "mindless speculation" and to make the matter even more laughable, writing on the official Liverpool FC website today regarding the same matter he says, "It never ceases to amaze how stories with no substance get legs. This was another example of how any dope with a computer can unbalance rational thought simply by starting a rumour."

How true can one be in such a short space of time.