Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel has demanded an apology from Tim Howard over suggestions of false claims made in his compatriot's new autobiography.
Howard revealed in his publication The Keeper that Friedel refused to endorse his work permit application in an attempt to sabotage a move from New York MetroStars to Manchester United in 2003.
However, the former Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Aston Villa keeper has strongly denied this, hitting back at his fellow American in an interview with ESPN.
"It's complete garbage," he said. "To be honest with you, all we're looking for is an apology. We can't get the book reprinted. I'm not looking for monetary gain. I just want an apology.
"There is no letter. I never sabotaged and I never stood in the way of Tim Howard getting a work permit. This is ludicrous. The letter was full of exaggerations that the people on the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) and appeals committee would have seen through.
"It said that I had been in direct competition with Tim Howard for the starting job on the US national team for the last two years, when anyone who follows soccer knew it was between Kasey [Keller] and I. Yes, I refused to sign that. We got the letter and said 'We have to change this, because this isn't true'."
Howard later joined United for a fee of around $4m (£2.6m).
Daniel Lewis
