Venables dismisses Kewell rift

Kewell scored the second goal for Australia

Leeds boss Terry Venables has rejected claims he put undue pressure on Harry Kewell to skip Australia's friendly against England.

The denial came after Soccer Australia chairman Remo Nogarotto criticised Venables for trying to prevent the forward from playing in the midweek game at Upton Park.

"I didn't pick Harry last weekend," said Venables.

There's no dispute between me and Harry, I get on fine with him

Terry Venables

"Our physio felt that he was a risk and I felt, in those circumstances, he shouldn't play on Wednesday as he could have ruled himself out for four to six weeks.

"Harry thought it was just touch and go and that he would be all right.

"I had a bit of trouble trying to track down the Australian people and wasn't getting any comeback. I was getting a bit concerned so I eventually rang Harry and said I didn't want him to play.

"Harry said he felt well and I said 'well, 45 minutes should be enough'.

"They still wanted him for 60 minutes and he ended up playing for 56 minutes so that was like a statement.

Aussies stun England

"But as long as he came through okay, that was the main thing."

Venables also dismissed Nogarotto's claims in Australian newspaper the Sun Herald that the pair had a heated argument over Kewell's involvement.

And he also played down reports in the same newspaper that his relationship with Kewell was at a low.

"It wasn't a blazing row," he added. "I've known Reno for years now and I'm surprised he's even brought it up. There's no dispute between me and Harry, I get on fine with him."

Nogarotto was quoted as saying: "It was a very heated discussion and neither Terry nor I left anything on the table."

Harry said 'stick it up your jumper, I'm playing for my country'

Remo Nogarotto

"I let him know exactly what I thought of his and Leeds' treatment of Harry.

"They put him under immoral pressure and at first they said he was prohibited from playing in the game full stop.

"They wanted Harry to be declared unfit. I know that Harry wasn't happy about that, and then they tried to tell us that Harry could only play for 45 minutes. That was their plan B.

Eriksson anger at England stars

"Harry let Venables know what he thought about that idea. He said 'stick it up your jumper, I'm playing for my country'.

"They acted with such arrogance and pressured him so badly and then Harry comes out and plays like that."

Kewell scored the second goal as Australia caused a shock by beating England 3-1.

Have your say on 606
The nation's biggest football debate