Rio Ferdinand has accused Jamie Carragher of spreading "fake news" with the pair also exchanging words over the Manchester United takeover.
The former England team-mates became embroiled in a public spat when Carragher referred to Ferdinand as a "clown" during an appearance as a pundit on American broadcaster CBS Sports. Ferdinand said he didn't understand the "hostility" at the time.
Their row has now reignited following Steven Gerrard's appointment as Saudi club Al-Ettifaq's new manager. Carragher has previously questioned in the influx of European talent to Saudi Arabia, particularly the rumours of Bernardo Silva's potential move.
Yet Carragher hasn't said much on Gerrard's new gig. The two were friends during their time together at Liverpool, winning nine trophies. Ferdinand was quick to point that out in a YouTube video, but Carragher isn't afraid to reply to the Manchester United icon.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "Jamie, Jamie Carragher, where are you man? I heard a lot of talk, a lot of negativity about Saudi. 'Oh Bernardo Silva, I can't believe it, it's a disgrace, it needs investigating...'
"Steven Gerrard's gone. You used to carry his boots and his bags at Anfield to games. Your boy's gone over there, I've not heard a peep out of you. I've not heard how disappointed you are. I want to hear him [Carragher to] say, 'I can't believe Stevie's gone there'.
"I'm actually buzzing for any of the guys who have gone out to Saudi - because it's Saudi, people are going mad, but all these other countries and leagues over the years have done exactly the same thing."
Yet Carragher was quick to reply: "Never criticised Silva, [Karim] Benzema, [Ruben] Neves or SG [Gerrard], I don’t like Saudi trying to buy football like they have Golf. I knew you’d be all over it Rio, like you were in Qatar!"
Carragher then accused Ferdinand of missing the BBC 's coverage of the opening game of the World Cup because he didn't want to criticise his "paymaster". The BBC slammed the Qatari government during the tournament for the lack of human rights in the country.
Like Qatar, Saudi Arabia also has a poor human rights record. Ferdinand was rapped by the advertising watchdog over a social media post promoting tourism in Qatar, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. The 'AD' label was not prominent enough on the post.
Yet Ferdinand has now rejected Carragher's accusation. The former England captain replied on Friday morning: "Fake news. I’m a man that embraces all cultures - join the club, no need to fabricate, James! I was never asked to do the opener.
"I never saw uproar from you and others when the Premier League, Serie A, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Russia, etc we’re plucking the best talent from other leagues... keep the same energy!"
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But Carragher insisted his comment wasn't "fabricated" and highlighted Ferdinand's claim that Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's proposed takeover of United is "imminent". Ferdinand made the claim in June, but the takeover is yet to be completed.
Carragher replied: "I wasn’t fabricating. I was told that by a few people, probably what happened with you over the Qataris buying Man Utd a few weeks ago! If you think the Saudi league buying players is the same as the other leagues, we will have to disagree!"
Ferdinand then said: "The facts are... You disrespected the league/country/culture but kept [quiet emoji] when your two boys Stevie and [Al-Qadsiah manager Robbie] Fowler went 10 days later."
