Barcelona players Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho embraced during training yesterday, publicly setting aside their dispute caused by the Cameroon striker's recent comments.

The two players hugged each other at the start of training the day after Eto'o criticized both the Brazilian and coach Frank Rijkaard.

Eto'o lashed out out at Rijkaard on Tuesday after the Dutchman stated he had refused to come on as a late substitute in Sunday's 2-0 victory at home to Racing Santander. "Telling a news conference that I didn't want to play is the behaviour of a bad person," said the Cameroonian.

Eto'o also had harsh words for team-mate Ronaldinho, who had suggested the striker place team interest above his own. "If a colleague comes out and says 'think about the team', then it should be him who should be thinking about the team," Eto'o said.

Club captain Carles Puyol sought yesterday to play down the whole affair, calling it a misunderstanding.

"We had a meeting between the captains of the team [Puyol and Xavi] and then spoke to Ronaldinho and Eto'o because it was an important matter to talk over together," said Puyol.

"What happened is that Ronnie's [Ronaldinho's] comments were misinterpreted. During their meeting, it became clear that Ronnie had not criticized Eto'o."

Barcelona's sports director Txiki Begiristain statedlast night that Eto'o would not be sanctioned. Begiristain explained that Rijkaard had requested the striker escape any punishment from his belief that the players "can manage themselves". Begiristain was quoted by sports daily Marca as saying the atmosphere around the affair had been one of constant dialogue.

"Eto'o also has no problem with Rijkaard. I can assure you that the whole matter has now been solved," added Puyol. "People think that there is a time bomb in the dressing room, but that isn't true. Rijkaard has got the team under control. Eto'o has a good relationship with the rest of the group and the atmosphere is good."

(China Daily via The Scotsman February 15, 2007)