significance of a flashpoint between Robin van Persie
and Memphis Depay.
Netherlands coach Danny Blind his dismissed suggestions
Robin van Persie was benched for the Euro 2016 qualification
win over Kazakhstan on Saturday due to a row with Memphis
Depay.
Reports suggested the Fenerbahce striker was involved in an
incident with the Manchester United winger ahead of the game
and alleged he was left out of the starting XI as a consequence.
Blind though has downplayed the significance of the row
between the attackers, insisting Van Persie started from the
bench due to a lack of fitness.
"We have discussed what happened, but that had nothing to do
with my decision," Blind told a press conference ahead of the
final qualifier against Czech Republic on Tuesday.
"I felt that he was not fit enough to start. I think that's down to
the fact that he has not played without pain for quite a while.
"He is pain free now and feels 100 per cent. But I want him to be
fit enough to play the full 90 minutes. That's why I did not play
him as support striker against Kazakhstan.
"He is fit enough for the match against Czech Republic, but I will
have to make choices."
Van Persie came off the bench in the closing stages of the 2-1
win over Kazakhstan to earn his 100th cap, with some pundits
suggesting his substitute cameo was a farewell gesture as Blind
prepares to jettison the Fenerbahce forward.
"That is absolute nonsense," the head coach said.
"We had agreed that I would get him on if we needed a goal, but
I also thought it was only logical to give him his 100th cap
because the game was already decided.
"I had to wait for my third substitution for a bit, though. I talked
about that with Robin and he understood me. I find it baffling
that people don't get that."
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