Memphis Depay and Robin van Persie row: players did have bust-up, Netherlands coach Danny Blind confirms

But that was not the reason for Van Persie's benching, the Dutch coach claims

Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay during Netherlands training

Netherlands coach Danny Blind has admitted that Robin van Persie and Manchester United's Memphis Depay had a training ground bust-up, but denied that it was the reason for Van Persie being benched for the Euro 2016 qualifying win over Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Blind has downplayed the significance of the row between the pair, insisting Van Persie started from the bench due to a lack of fitness.

Blind, whose son Daley is a club and international team-mate of Depay, said: "We have discussed what happened, but that had nothing to do with my decision," Blind said ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier against Czech Republic on Tuesday.

"I felt that he was not fit enough to start. I think that's down to the fact that he has not played without pain for quite a while.

"He is pain free now and feels 100 per cent. But I want him to be fit enough to play the full 90 minutes. That's why I did not play him as support striker against Kazakhstan.

"He is fit enough for the match against Czech Republic, but I will have to make choices."