Robbie Fowler has released the contents of a "private" letter written to Graeme Le Saux aimed at ending the feud over their Stamford Bridge bust-up.
Le Saux was caught by television elbowing Fowler to the ground following an angry confrontation between the pair in which the Liverpool striker made offensive gestures towards his England colleague.
The English Football Association have since charged both players with misconduct.
Fowler has found himself condemned for his alleged comments, and yesterday sought to defuse the situation by issuing a copy of a letter delivered to Stamford Bridge earlier in the day.
However, Fowler - under clear legal advice - has been careful not to admit he did anything wrong and once again uses the term "misinterpreted" in the letter, having made the same claim in last Friday's statement that followed Le Saux's letter of apology earlier in the day.
Le Saux sent his letter to Fowler, the contents of which have not been made public. Now Fowler clearly wants his version out in the open before the FA hearing, and released it through his solicitor. This response may not please the critics who have condemned Fowler for alleged gestures towards Le Saux that were shown on television.
Whether the letter goes far enough remains to be seen. Both players have until Monday to offer their statements to the FA, and Fowler has already asked for a personal hearing.
The problem now for the FA is that any such hearing is highly likely to clash with Kevin Keegan's England build-up.
The situation is given another twist with caretaker England manager Kevin Keegan expected to watch Liverpool at Derby tomorrow. It will be Keegan's first official trip to a Premiership match as England coach, and he undoubtedly wants to use the trip to judge the form of Steve McManaman, Fowler and Michael Owen.
Meanwhile, Steve Stone joined Aston Villa from Nottingham Forest yesterday in a £5.5 million deal.
Stone, who will make his debut in tomorrow's game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, has signed a contract until the summer of 2003, with the option of a further year. Villa pushed through their latest big-money deal when they signed the 27-year-old England international less than 24 hours after losing 2-1 at Derby.
