Battle of Bayern! Ribery and Robben come to blows in Champions League scrap



Franck Ribery and former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben had to be dragged apart by shocked team-mates after a furious dressing room bust-up midway through Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.



A row that started on the pitch shortly before half-time escalated after the players reached the dressing room, as the pair traded insults and angrily squared up to each other.



According to sources in Munich, Ribery aimed a punch at Robben and caught him under the eye, before team-mates stepped in and pulled them apart.



Flashpoint: Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery argue over a free kick

It is understood both players were hauled before Bayern bosses Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness the following morning and given a dressing down, with Ribery taking most of the blame and being fined for his actions.



Significantly, when asked about the flare-up, there was no denial from a club spokesman, who said: ‘Whatever happens in the locker room stays there. We will not be making any further comment.’



The flashpoint is believed to have stemmed from a heated argument over who should take a free-kick towards the end of the first half. Both players reappeared for the second half, and Bayern went on to win the first leg 2-1. The winners of the tie face Chelsea or Barcelona in the final.

Key man: Ribery has put Bayern ahead early in the Champions League semi



