Back in March, Manchester United’s Victor Lindelöf became a father for the first time as the centre-back and his wife, Maja Nilsson, welcomed their first child, Ted Louie.
Prior to Nilsson giving birth, the player withdrew from the Sweden national team for ‘personal reasons’, which became very clear when Nilsson published a blog post a month later explaining the complications associated with Ted Louie’s birth, but the vague description at the time led to some claims being made that did not sit well with the defender.
Local TV channel TV4 and website Fotballskanalen reported the reason why Lindelöf left the set up was in protest of manager Janne Andersson’s failure to call up his close friend John Guidetti, which everyone refuted immediately.
Since then, the United centre-back has boycotted the media outlets, refusing to talk to their reporters in the mixed zone, and on Thursday evening, following Sweden’s 4-0 victory over the Faroe Islands, the player explained himself to Aftonbladet.
He said: “It’s easy for me. When you come out with pure lies at a time when I wanted to spend all my time with my pregnant wife… then I won’t be silent. It’s not OK. That’s why I made that decision.
“You spread such things at a time when she is already worried about what is happened, that’s not right. You were also guilty. An already worried pregnant woman had to endure threats and everything. I don’t think it’s OK. If you have children yourself, then I think you understand and respect this”.
When pressed further, Lindelöf explained he will not apologise, stating: “You can write what you want about me, but when it comes to my wife, it’s another matter”.
As for how long the Manchester United man is planning on boycotting the two outlets, he doesn’t know: “We shall see, right now, it’s like this, but I don’t think anyone handled it nicely”.
