Not so Swede harmony

Sweden’s World Cup preparations exploded into open warfare today as Fredrik Ljungberg grabbed team-mate Olof Mellberg by the throat in an astonishing training ground bust-up.

The Arsenal star flew into a rage when the Aston Villa defender chopped him down with a late tackle at the squad’s Miyazaki base earlier today.

But the Swedes, who face England in their opening match of the finals on June 2, moved swiftly into damage control mode.

‘‘Things like that happen, it’s nothing to worry about,’’ said Ljungberg.

However, the incident was captured in a close-up by television cameras and is already available for viewing world-wide on the internet.

Ljungberg, a key member in Arsenal’s Premiership and FA Cup-winning double, had already won a tackle before setting off on a trademark run down the right flank before Mellberg charged in with a waist-high lunge that sent his team-mate sprawling.

The Arsenal star leapt to his feet and grabbed his colleague by the throat as the pair wrestled to the ground.

Mellberg appeared shocked at the reaction and hurled an expletive at his team-mate before midfielder Daniel Andersson tried to separate them.

Coventry goalkeeper Magnus Hedman and Southampton’s Anders Svensson eventually pulled the pair apart before joint coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback hastily ended the session.

Mellberg was also keen to draw a line under the incident.

‘‘Of course I regret it. You can’t put a positive spin on what I did,’’ he said.

‘‘It is nothing you can be proud about. It was stupid.’’

Sweden’s team spokesman Mats Engqvist said: ‘‘This is not something we are used to but it is something Tommy (Soderberg) and Lars (Lagerback) will sort out.

‘‘It’s competitive now, the boys are really up for it.’’