Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia played down an on-field bust-up between Nyron Nosworthy and Pascal Chimbonda during yesterday's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.
He said: "It was just a bit of passion and a little bit of a misunderstanding, maybe, with the language barrier.
"That happens in football. They are as good as mates downstairs, that's not a problem.
"I don't mind that sometimes, to be honest with you, a bit of frustration.
"We asked them for a little bit of respect for each other, we need that as well in the team."