Linda Moreotsene

SuperSport United appear to have closed rank around their camp, amid reports that striker Tefera Fikru went on the rampage and assaulted two of his teammates last week.

Fikru and Noah Chivuta came to blows at training last week, an incident that Chivuta confirmed happened.

However, in what appears to be a case of swift damage control, the Zambian denies laying a criminal charge against Fikru with the police.

He admitted that something did happen between him and Fikru, but described the fight as "something that happens on the training field all the time between players".

"Of course the incident happened, but I never went to the police. There is nothing like that and I don't know who could have opened a case on my behalf," said Chivuta.

He said the injury to his face from the blow was minor, and had not kept him from training.

"Besides, if there is a problem with players, management deals with it first, it is not for me to go to the police," the midfielder said.

Police spokesperson Captain Agnes Huma disputes this, confirming that Chivuta was the complainant in a common assault case openedlast Wednesday.

"We are still conducting investigations.

"No one has been arrested for the time being, but I can confirm that the complainant is a Noah Chivuta," said Huma.

On the day of the incident, Fikru is also said to have had an altercation with defender David Kannemeyer.

United spokesperson David Skhosana dismissed the story, saying the whole thing was being blown way out of proportion.

"All I can say is that if we were to pay attention to these so-called fights by players - which happen every day on the field - we will have no time to do real work," said Skhosana.