Netherlands head coach Danny Blind has confirmed that Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay had a spat during a training session prior to the team's victory over Kazakhstan.
Van Persie, who left Manchester United for Fenerbahce in the summer, and Depay, who joined United from PSV Eindhoven around the same time, had a disagreement prior to the 2-1 triumph on Saturday.
Blind has insisted that his reason behind leaving Van Persie out of the starting XI was not as a result of the incident, but rather his lack of match fitness as the striker has struggled to hold down a regular spot at his club.
"We have discussed what happened, but that had nothing to do with my decision," The Guardian quotes Blind as saying. "It was a discussion during a training about a ball that should have been given over. Things like that happen often.
"There are sometimes situations in training where players think differently - that's what happened and then it was over. I felt that he was not fit enough to start. I think that's down to the fact that he has not played without pain for quite a while."
Meanwhile, the Netherlands will miss out on a playoff place for the Euro 2016 finals if Turkey do not lose to Iceland on Tuesday.
Danielle Joynson
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