Bullying row overshadows build-up to England clash

Sweden’s preparations for their second group match against England tomorrow have been overshadowed by a bullying row after the squad was seen taking shots at reserve goalkeeper Johan Wiland’s bare bottom during training.

Wiland was told to drop his shorts and let his team-mates take aim after coming last in one of the training exercises. But Sweden’s largest anti-bullying organisation, called FRIENDS, has hit out at the behaviour and insisted it sets a bad example.

“These players are the heroes of thousands of boys and girls in Sweden, and I don’t think it’s right to send the message that this is okay,” said FRIENDS general secretary Lars Arrhenius. “This sort of thing gets copied in schools and clubs around the country, but with children as victims of the situation.”

Sweden’s press chief Hans Hultman was quick to play down the criticism, saying: “It’s just a game the players play in different ways. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about it.”

Former goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli was more understanding, and added: “I understand how it can be perceived as a form of bullying, but it absolutely isn’t.”

Sweden’s camp is far from a happy one after they left slip a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to hosts Ukraine in their opening match. But they remain confident ahead of the England game, with Jonas Olsson pointing out that England without Wayne Rooney are a different prospect entirely. “It will be a tough game, no doubt about that, but they are a much weaker side without Rooney, a totally different team,” he said.

Two other players have warned their team-mates to ignore English players trash-talking their opponents during the game. “I have heard everything in England,” said captain Olof Mellberg. “If it’s over the top, it almost crosses over to comedy. I don’t mind it. But some players use it as a tactic, trying to gear themselves up by riling others. I get more annoyed about things happening in play, and I’ve never considered talking about other players’ families and things like that.”

Sebastian Larsson added: “I remember one player saying loudly to another, with the opponent in question nearby, ‘Was it his wife that slept with so-and-so?’ That is a bit low. Other than that it’s the usual insults. It all happens in the heat of the moment, but I guess it’s like that in all contact sport.”