Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has criticised Scotland for cancelling a planned behind-closed-doors training match ahead of the World Cup, describing the decision as unprofessional.
The fixture, scheduled for Monday at Scotland’s training base in Charlotte, North Carolina, had been arranged months earlier to give fringe players from both teams valuable match practice before the tournament.
However, Norway were informed late on Friday night that Scotland would no longer fulfil the fixture, with the Scottish camp citing injuries within the squad.
The cancellation forced Solbakken to alter his preparations ahead of Norway’s 1-1 friendly draw against Morocco in New Jersey on Sunday.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Monday, Solbakken questioned both the timing of the decision and the manner in which it was communicated.
Solbakken said: “It was just as surprising to me, and it is unprofessional of Scotland.
“It’s unprofessional that their manager didn’t call me personally, that they used their team manager to call and tell us this after we completed training.
“I don’t believe the injuries they are blaming this on happened during their last session.”
Scotland manager Steve Clarke downplayed the significance of the cancelled fixture and defended the decision.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Clarke explained that the match was intended as a one-hour training exercise and that concerns over player fitness influenced the decision.
Clarke said: “We picked up one or two niggles last week and decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”
The dispute has also attracted criticism from within the Norway camp.
Striker Alexander Sorloth described the cancellation as “a great shame and quite unprofessional,” adding to the frustration expressed by Norwegian officials.
Norway continue their preparations for the World Cup and will begin their campaign against Iraq on June 16.
Scotland, meanwhile, are scheduled to open their tournament against Haiti on June 14.
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