Amid rumours of the feared unrest that has wrecked previous Dutch World Cup challenges, Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder has moved quickly to deny any rift between himself and striker Robin van Persie.

 

The Arsenal man was substituted during their second round match against Slovakia and was visibly unhappy with the decision. It was claimed afterwards that he had told coach Bert van Marwijk that Sneijder should have been taken off instead but Sneijder himself said “Robin assured me that he had not said those words and I have no reason to doubt him. I don’t have a problem with him and I never have done.”

With the spectre of infighting derailing yet another tournament for the Netherlands, Sneijder went on “We will be united as never before against Brazil.”

Holland and Everton star Johnny Heitinga has claimed that it was ego’s that ruined England’s chances and hopes that the same fate will not befall the Dutch again.