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.”