Brown apologises for public hullabaloo as Tigers duo fight
The Tigers duo were involved in an altercation on a ‘warm-down’ outing near the Humber Bridge following the 5-1 defeat by Everton last Sunday.
The set-to was apparently witnessed by a large party from the Women’s Institute and Brown — who insists the matter has been dealt with “in house” — is keen to put the incident behind them.
Brown, whose Hull side welcome Arsenal to the KC Stadium tonight, said: “I’d like to apologise to the Women’s Institute, I didn’t realise there was a rally going on there and there was apparently 50 to 100 women going on a march across the Humber Bridge and the incident was unsavoury, it was unfortunate.
“It happens on the training ground on a regular basis, under the control of the club, but it seems to have got out this time.
“The players have settled their differences now, it was back to normal on Tuesday and they are getting on with the job in hand which is the challenge of 10 games in the Premier League.
“These things do happen. I’m not condoning that kind of behaviour but it’s an emotive game, it’s a passionate game. Emotions do run high and certainly then the pressure is cranked up — which it is, we are coming to the business end of the season.
“It’s a sign that they care. Nick Barmby has obviously got himself involved with Jimmy Bullard. They are big players where we are concerned and I’m looking forward to the response of the group and of the two players in question.
“We’ll get on with it and deal with it. At the end of the day it has made headlines, because outside of the confines of the training ground we weren’t expecting it to be swept under the carpet. We’re big boys, we stand by our behaviour and have shaken hands and will get on with it.”
He added: “There are no fractures within the squad. This squad is united.”
Veteran Tigers midfielder George Boateng added: “I’m sorry because I missed it, I wasn’t there. I would have paid to watch it!”
Meanwhile Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas insists there is no chance of him asking Arsene Wenger to rest him in order to protect against further injury problems.
The Spain midfielder missed the 5-0 Champions League victory over Porto in midweek following a recurrence of a hamstring problem and looks set to miss out against Hull this evening.
Fabregas is convinced the injury is something that occurs after a concerted run of games rather than because of any particular tweaks or strains, but does not want Wenger to cut back his playing time as the Gunners fight for glory at home and in Europe.
He said: “I never (ask to be rested). I love playing football, I was feeling good (when the injury happened against Burnley) and you never know when that is going to happen. As long as you are feeling good you just want to play.
“It’s a little bit better. I’m getting there day by day.”
Fabregas revealed he had delayed coming off against Burnley until he had put his team in front.
“I felt something 10 minutes before the goal but I didn’t want to leave the pitch until we scored the goal,” he said.
“After that I tried to carry on a little bit but it was better that I came off.
“It’s four or five times now in the same area. I don’t know what’s going on but that’s why it’s better that I take my time and come back when I’m ready.
“It’s not that I have strained it, it is just a little bit of fluid that is there and it keeps me out for between five and six days.”
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