Emerson did not refuse to play, says Capello

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello moved to quash further murmurs of dissent inside the Bernabeu on Thursday by denying that Brazilian midfielder Emerson had refused to play against Bayern Munich.

Spain has already been gripped by one alleged refusal to take to the field as Barcelona coach Franck Rijkaard last week claimed that his star Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o had refused to come on as a substitute - a charge Eto'o publicly denied.

Now Capello has been forced into denying his player acted in such a way during Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg tie.

"Emerson did not refuse (to come on as a sub). That's a lie. He did not tell me that he would not play," said Capello.

"It was not an act of indiscipline. He is a player in our team and we can count on him."

Capello was speaking ahead of this weekend's Madrid derby with Atletico.

Cadena Ser radio station had said Wednesday on its internet site that Emerson had copied Eto'o.

"There were 20 minutes to play when the Italian coach (Capello) asked Emerson to go and warm up."

"But, taking a leaf out of Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o's book, he refused and the cameras are our witness."

However, also on Wednesday, Real left back Roberto Carlos, another Brazilian, denied that his international colleague had refused to warm up.