Flores and Monk's Swansea Row and the 10 Biggest Training Ground Fights

Police were called to Swansea's training ground on Friday when a member of the public reportedly spotted Chico Flores brandishing a brick during an altercation with teammate Garry Monk.

In a statement republished by The Guardian, Swansea downplayed what sounded like a very heated bust-up:

"

Chico Flores and Garry Monk had an exchange of words, which is not uncommon between players in training grounds across the country, but no threats or altercations took place between the players in question.

It's understood a member of the public phoned the police, who felt no action was required.

The club can categorically state that nobody was threatened with a brick. The matter has been dealt with and is concluded.

"

Flores and Monk's hot-headed exchange inspires our list of the 10 biggest training ground fights. 

John Hartson vs. Eyal Berkovic

John Hartson averaged a red card every 26 games during his career in England, but the fiery Welshman didn't just limit his aggression to the playing field.

In September 1998, he won an argument with West Ham teammate Eyal Berkovic by kicking him in the face. 

Hartson later admitted it to be "an error of judgement." 

Frank Temile vs. Dmitry Korkishko

In February 2013, Dmitry Korkishko slapped Dynamo Kiev teammate Frank Temile during training after an exchange of words. The Nigerian retaliated with a powerful left hook that soon escalated into a full-scale brawl. 

It took six teammates to pull them apart, but they later reconciled their differences. 

Freddie Ljungberg vs. Olof Mellberg

During an open training session in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup, Freddie Ljungberg reacted angrily to a challenge from his Swedish cohort Olof Mellberg. 

The pair needed to be separated, but former Arsenal star Ljungberg later dismissed the incident as "nothing to worry about."

Mario Balotelli vs. Roberto Mancini

When Mario Balotelli went in for a late lunge on Scott Sinclair during a Manchester City training session in January 2013, Roberto Mancini ordered him off the field.

Rather than respect his manager's wishes, however, the Italian refused to leave the field, forcing Mancini to drag him away. A tussle ensued, which looked like it may have turned ugly if the coaching staff did not intervene.

Balotelli was sold to Milan a few weeks later. 

Thomas Gravesen vs. Robinho

Of all the people Robinho could have picked a fight with at Real Madrid, the diminutive Brazilian picked Danish hard man Thomas Gravesen. 

In August 2006, the pair had to be separated after Gravesen lunged into the Brazilian, sparking a fight that Robinho was never going to win.   

Joey Barton vs. Ousmane Dabo

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Remember the days when Joey Barton was Manchester City's top scorer and he would punch anything that moves?

During a training session in the 2006-07 season, Barton attacked French midfielder Ousmane Dabo from behind and then continued to reign punches on him while he lay on the floor. 

Dabo was left unconscious and had to go to the hospital for head injuries that included a suspected detached retina. 

Unsurprisingly, Dabo later labelled Barton a "coward" for his actions. The incident effectively ended his career in Manchester. 

QPR vs. China U23

A Chinese national team U23 side visited Queens Park Rangers' training ground for a friendly against a Hoops XI in 2007.

The ill-tempered match had to be abandoned when a mass brawl broke out (soon dubbed "The Great Brawl of China), leaving one of the visiting players unconscious on the field and in need of a trip to hospital.

Carles Puyol vs. Vicente

During a Spanish national team World Cup qualifier training camp in February 2008, Carles Puyol engaged in a spot of fisticuffs with Valencia winger Vicente.

Things could have escalated much further if Luis Aragones and several teammates did not intervene. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. Oguchi Onyewu

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The mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic would start a fight with his own shadow if it looked at him the wrong way, such is his predilection for training ground brawls and kicking teammates.

While at Milan in November 2010, the Swede and American defender Oguchi Onyewu "almost killed each other" in a brawl that gave Zlatan a broken rib. 

"It was like life and death," Ibra later wrote in his autobiography. 

Andy Carroll vs. Steven Taylor

Stu Forster/Getty Images

In March 2010, Geordie striker Andy Carroll discovered that Newcastle teammate Steven Taylor had been exchanging sexy text messages with his ex-girlfriend.

The Toon stars decided to settle the issue with a training ground row that reportedly resulted in Taylor breaking his jaw and Carroll requiring surgery on the hand that delivered the punch. 

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