Scotland-Norway Friendly Cancelled; Solbakken Calls Clarke Unprofessional
Scotland canceled a closed-door World Cup warm-up friendly against Norway at the last minute, citing injury concerns. Norway manager Ståle Solbakken criticized the decision as unprofessional, noting the cancellation was communicated indirectly and disrupted Norway’s preparations. The dispute has sparked a diplomatic row between the two teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
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Scotland Cancels Warm-Up Match with Norway, Draws Criticism; McGinn Defends Decision
Scotland canceled a scheduled closed-door warm-up match against Norway two days before it was to be played at Scotland's training base in Charlotte, citing injury risk concerns. Norway's football association head, Brede Hangeland, criticized the move as 'embarrassing' and 'disgraceful,' noting a prior gentleman's agreement. Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sørloth also called Scotland's approach 'unprofessional.' Scotland midfielder John McGinn responded by saying his team's priority is protecting the squad, referencing the recent loss of a key team member. The Scottish Football Association later expressed regret, explaining that injuries from previous friendlies led them to conclude the risks outweighed the benefits, and they notified Norway as soon as possible.
虎扑 - 足球Norway angered after Scotland cancels World Cup preparation friendly
Norway's national football team coach Stale Solbakken expressed anger after Scotland canceled a scheduled World Cup preparation friendly, which was to be played behind closed doors on Monday. Solbakken criticized the lack of professionalism, noting that Scotland's coach did not personally inform him but instead used a team manager. He also expressed skepticism about Scotland's claim that five or six players were injured in the last training session. The Norwegian team manager called the cancellation 'cowardly.' Scotland midfielder John McGinn defended the decision, stating any country would do the same to protect players. The Scottish Federation explained that the match was meant to be private and they were surprised the news leaked to Norwegian media. Norway will face Iraq on June 17 and France on July 26 in World Cup Group I.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuJohn McGinn defends Scotland against 'weak' criticism after cancelling Norway friendly
Scotland cancelled a behind-closed-doors friendly against Norway scheduled for Monday night in Charlotte, citing injury concerns. The decision, made by senior administrative figures rather than team managers, sparked backlash from Norway's football director Brede Hangeland, who called it 'embarrassing' and 'weak', and from striker Alexander Sorloth, who labelled it 'unprofessional'. Scotland captain John McGinn fired back, arguing Norway would have done the same in a similar situation. The Scottish FA expressed regret but maintained the cancellation was the right decision to avoid further injury risk ahead of the World Cup, noting the game was meant to be private until Norwegian media publicised it.
Mirror - FootballScotland and Norway in war of words over cancelled World Cup training match
Scotland's return to the World Cup after 28 years has been overshadowed by a diplomatic row with Norway over the cancellation of a scheduled training match. The behind-closed-doors game, planned for Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina, was called off by Scotland on Saturday, citing injury concerns following Billy Gilmour's tournament-ending injury against Curaçao. Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken branded Scotland 'unprofessional', 'embarrassing', and 'weak', while team manager Brede Hangeland called the cancellation 'weak' after months of planning. Scotland's John McGinn defended the decision, stating the team's priority is to protect its players, and suggested Norway would have done the same if they lost key stars like Erling Haaland or Martin Ødegaard. The Scottish FA noted the match was arranged by team administrators, not head coaches, and criticized Norway for publicizing the dispute.
Football | The GuardianSolbakken blasts Scotland for unprofessional cancellation of friendly match
Norway's coach Stale Solbakken strongly criticized Scotland for canceling a closed-door friendly match at the last minute, calling it 'unprofessional.' The match, scheduled for Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina, was part of both teams' preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Solbakken expressed surprise and disappointment, noting that Scotland's coach Steve Clarke did not call him personally and that the excuse of injuries from a training session was unconvincing. Clarke downplayed the incident, citing a one-hour training session and multiple injuries during the week. Scotland will debut in the World Cup on June 14 against Haiti, while Norway faces Iraq on June 17.
FútbolNorway coach blasts Scotland for canceling training match: 'Unprofessional attitude'
Norway national football team coach Stale Solbakken harshly criticized Scotland for canceling a scheduled training match at short notice, calling the decision 'unprofessional.' The teams were both based in North Carolina, USA, preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Scotland withdrew late on Sunday, citing multiple player injuries. Solbakken expressed frustration that Scotland's coach did not inform him directly, and suggested injuries were not the real reason. Scotland coach Steve Clarke defended the decision, saying it was not worth risking players with minor injuries. Norway had just drawn 1-1 with Morocco in a friendly, while Scotland is set to face Haiti in their World Cup opener. Norway's World Cup debut is against Iraq on June 16.
RecordNorway coach Solbakken calls Scotland's Clarke 'unprofessional' over cancelled friendly
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has branded Scotland manager Steve Clarke 'unprofessional' after Scotland cancelled a scheduled closed-doors training friendly ahead of the World Cup. The match was arranged between the respective team managers, not the head coaches, according to the Scottish FA. Scotland cited injury risks from previous friendlies as the reason for cancellation. Norway's team manager, former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, said they had based their World Cup preparations on the friendly for months and called the late cancellation 'embarrassing' and 'weak'. The Scots defeated Bolivia 4-0 in their final public preparation game, while Norway begin their Group I campaign against Iraq next Tuesday.
BBC SportNorway manager Stale Solbakken calls Scotland's Steve Clarke 'unprofessional' over cancelled friendly
Norway national team manager Stale Solbakken has branded Scotland head coach Steve Clarke 'unprofessional' after Scotland cancelled a scheduled closed-doors friendly just days before both teams begin their World Cup campaigns. Norway team manager Brede Hangeland, a former Fulham defender, said the cancellation was 'embarrassing' and that Norway had based their World Cup preparations on the friendly for months, including organizational agreements and gentlemen's agreements. Scotland played their final public preparation match on Saturday, defeating Bolivia 4-0, while Norway is set to face Iraq in Group I. The Scots will play Haiti in Group C. The dispute highlights tensions between the two camps as they finalize their World Cup preparations in the United States.
BBC SportNorway Coach Fumes Over Last-Minute Cancellation of World Cup Warm-Up Match Against Scotland
Norway's national football team coach Ståle Solbakken has strongly criticized Scotland after they canceled a scheduled behind-closed-doors friendly match at the last minute, just days before the 2026 World Cup. The match, planned for Monday, was intended to give playing time to less-used squad members. Solbakken expressed anger not only at the cancellation but at the manner it was handled, stating the Scotland coach did not call him personally but instead communicated through a team manager after training had ended. He also expressed skepticism about Scotland's official reason—multiple injuries—calling it 'hard to believe.' The cancellation deprived several Norwegian players of a final warm-up opportunity. Norway, led by Erling Haaland, is in World Cup Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Iraq, and will begin their campaign against Iraq on June 16.
Home Football - actualitésScotland Cancels Friendly Against Norway, Drawing Criticism for Unprofessionalism
The Norwegian national team was informed that Scotland had canceled a behind-closed-doors friendly match scheduled for Monday, shortly after Norway's 1-1 draw with Morocco. Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, and players including Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth criticized Scotland's approach as unprofessional and insincere, noting that the cancellation was communicated indirectly and late at night. Scotland cited a high number of injuries as the reason, but Norway's camp expressed skepticism, pointing out that Scotland's coach Steve Clark had previously stated the team had no injuries after a match against Bolivia. The cancellation disrupted Norway's preparation plans, particularly for players who did not feature in the Morocco game.
虎扑 - 足球Norway manager Solbakken criticizes Scotland for last-minute friendly cancellation
Norway national football team manager Ståle Solbakken has publicly criticized the Scottish Football Association for cancelling a planned behind-closed-doors (BCD) friendly match at the last minute. Solbakken expressed surprise and labeled the decision as unprofessional, noting that Scotland manager Steve Clarke had stated there were no new injuries following their match against Bolivia. Solbakken argued that if injuries were a genuine issue, Scotland should have cancelled the friendly earlier. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between the two national teams ahead of upcoming fixtures.
The back page of the internet.Scotland Cancels Closed Friendly with Norway to Prevent World Cup Injuries
Scotland has canceled a scheduled closed-door friendly match against Norway on Monday, citing injury concerns ahead of the World Cup. The decision was announced by Norwegian Football Association media manager Morten Mortenbak-Schonsberger, who stated Scotland withdrew due to injury. Scotland head coach Clark had expressed relief after a 4-0 win over Bolivia on Saturday, noting no injuries occurred. The cancellation follows Billy Gilmour's knee injury in a friendly against Curacao on May 30, which ruled him out of the World Cup. Norway head coach Stalay Solbakken confirmed the cancellation, saying the match was intended to give playing time to players not featured against Morocco, and he will now make adjustments for that game.
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