Stricken Arsenal striker Eduardo last night blasted claims that Birmingham defender Martin Taylor visited him in hospital.
A newspaper last week claimed Taylor had personally made his peace with the Croatia international after committing the horrific tackle that left him with a double fracture of the leg and a dislocated ankle during Arsenal's trip to St Andrew's two weeks ago.
The report also carried quotes attributed to Eduardo.
But the striker told Croatian TV: "The story about Taylor visiting me was an invention - as was my 'interview' in the English press."
The Eduardo-Taylor incident is becoming a major embarrassment for both clubs.
Arsenal have been admant about giving their injured striker space and time to recover.
Birmingham have stood by Taylor who has won widespread support as a player who would not have intentionally injured an opponent.
However, FIFA president Sepp Blatter revisited the row on his visit to Scotland this weekend with a personal attack on Taylor. Blatter has claimed players who seriously injure opponents should face life bans.
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Jonathan Pearce
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE