Norway’s Graham Hansen apologises for lashing out at coach in FIFA Women’s World Cup

Norway winger Caroline Graham Hansen has apologised for lashing out at coach Hege Riise after being dropped to the bench for Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Switzerland on the Women’s World Cup.

The 28-year-old was introduced on as a second-half substitute at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium however the 0-0 draw left the previous champions teetering on the exit of the event.

Graham Hansen vented her frustrations in a TV interview after the ultimate whistle.

“I just want to apologise for my statements after the match. I’m just a human being with a lot of feelings,” she instructed reporters on Tuesday.

“Emotions got the better of me. I took the focus away from what matters, and that is being here to play the World Cup.”

Graham Hansen stated she nonetheless “strongly disagreed” with the coach’s choice to depart her out of the beginning line-up.

“But I respect that the coach decides, and she has the right to do what is best,” she added.

“I know it causes unrest around the team, when I speak out as I did yesterday. It was … not the rational me.”

Graham Hansen, who gained the Champions League with Barcelona final month, additionally addressed her touch upon Tuesday that she had been dealt a uncooked deal since Riise took over.

“A year ago I was removed from the leadership group as one of the first things Hege did,” she stated.

“I also disagreed with that, but it was not relevant to yesterday, and should not have been referred to. So I apologise for that.

“I need to do all the things to assist Norway additional …”

Riise said she accepted the player’s apology and said Graham Hansen was still part of her plans for Norway’s final Group A match against the Philippines in Auckland on Sunday.

“She is genuinely sorry for her emotional outbursts, not solely now, but in addition a bit again in time,” Riise said.

“There is not any motive why this can’t be a hit story. We had a crash, now it needs to be reset after which we’ll proceed working ahead.”

Graham Hansen’s comments came at the end of a difficult night for Riise, who lost former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg to a groin injury just before kickoff.

“The first examination by a physiotherapist and physician reveals that it was completely proper to not play the match,” team doctor Trygve Hunemo said of the 28-year-old striker.

“We will arrange a plan all through the week to optimise the alternatives for Ada to play on Sunday.”

—Reuters