Emerson did not refuse to play, says Capello

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

MADRID (AFP) — Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello moved to quash further murmurs of dissent inside the Bernabeu on Thursday by denying that Brazilian midfielder Emerson had refused to play against Bayern Munich.

Spain has already been gripped by one alleged refusal to take to the field as Barcelona coach Franck Rijkaard last week claimed that his star Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o had refused to come on as a substitute - a charge Eto'o publicly denied.

Now Capello has been forced into denying his player acted in such a way during Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg tie.

"Emerson did not refuse (to come on as a sub). That's a lie. He did not tell me that he would not play," said Capello.

"It was not an act of indiscipline. He is a player in our...