Dutch set for another showdown with Bayern

The Dutch football federation (KNVB) are set for another row with German champions Bayern Munich after selecting midfielder Mark van Bommel for their Euro 2012 qualifier with Sweden on Tuesday.

The Dutch – who have already sparked a row over their playing Arjen Robben during the World Cup finals and who has subsequently not been able to play this season – were asked by the German club to send van Bommel home immediately after he was injured playing in the 1-0 win over Moldova last Friday.

However, both national coach Bert van Marwijk – van Bommel’s father-in-law – and the Dutch medical staff said he had recovered and according to the ANP agency so did the player.

Bayern, who are one of the most aggressive European clubs when it comes to taking on national federations over their players, had taken the decision to recall the player after consulting with their doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.

Van Bommel, the club captain but a vital element to the Dutch midfield for his hardtackling role, had said following the Moldova match that the pain in his knee felt worse.

He missed training on Sunday but resumed on Monday.

The row over Robben – Bundesliga player of the year last season as he inspired them to the domestic double and the Champions League final – exploded when the injury-prone winger suffered a recurrence of the thigh injury that had looked like ruling him out of the World Cup finals.

He suffered the injury in a pre-finals friendly against Hungary.

The Dutch medical team worked wonders to get him fit enough to start playing in the group stage and he starred for the ‘Oranje’ the whole way to their 1-0 defeat by Spain in the final.

He has not played at all for Bayern this season as they have struggled in the Bundesliga and the German side are demanding the KNVB pay part of his salary.