Riise reflects on Bellamy"s golf club attack at Liverpool

Almost two decades ago, John Arne Riise was assaulted by his Liverpool teammate Craig Bellamy with a golf club in their team hotel. This incident occurred the night before a crucial Champions League match against Barcelona. Riise was struck on the hip and thigh, leading to significant tension between the two players. Despite the passage of time, Riise has expressed that he can forgive Bellamy for the attack but does not wish to have any contact with him. He believes that such actions are unacceptable among teammates. Riise recounted the events leading up to the attack, highlighting a disagreement over a Christmas party where he was supposed to sing a song but chose not to attend. This refusal seemed to escalate tensions, with Bellamy feeling disrespected. Riise's frustration grew as he recalled previous petty grievances during training, which contributed to the volatile atmosphere. The situation culminated in Bellamy's drunken outburst, where he confronted Riise in his hotel room. Riise described Bellamy as being "completely gone" during the incident, indicating that alcohol played a significant role in his behavior. The attack left a lasting impact on Riise, who has since distanced himself from Bellamy, emphasizing that teammates should not behave in such a manner. Ultimately, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of team dynamics and the potential for personal conflicts to escalate into serious confrontations, affecting relationships both on and off the field.