Vaughan put on back foot by Guardian in 'Fredalo' row

London, June 7 (UNI) British newspaper 'The Guardian' has hit back at England captain Michael Vaughan for denying using the word 'Fredalo' for Flintoff, saying it stands by its story as it has the audio of the interview on the webiste.

Vaughan says his comments in an interview with the newspaper have been ''blown out of all proportion''.

He denied using the word ''Fredalo'' when discussing off-field incidents. ''One word changed the context of the whole article, a word I didn't say,'' Vaughan said.

''I've got to learn from what happened. I will continue to be honest, but I've got to be a little bit aware that now and again you might get misquoted and stories like this might lead to a little bit of trouble. I'll learn from that,'' the skipper said.

However, the paper was confident Vaughan was not on firm ground, saying in a statement, ''The Guardian categorically denies Michael Vaughan's suggestion that he was misquoted in his interview with Donald McRae, published on Tuesday morning.'' ''Having examined transcripts it is clear his contention that he did not use the word 'Fredalo' is incorrect,'' it said.

McRae, who interviewed Vaughan, himself told BBC Radio Five Live ''I'm a bit bemused by it all and I find it a little odd.

I'm sure (Flintoff) was not best pleased when he read the stories.

But we are good mates Michael Vaughan Denying using the word himself, Mcrae said, ''The Guardian has gone back to the tape, we've listened to it closely and I never use the word 'Fredalo' myself and he (Vaughan) uses it on a number of occasions.'' ''He It's a shame, because sportsmen get castigated for being bland and anodyne.

''When a sportsman like Michael Vaughan gives an honest opinion, pinpointing that night as the night England's World Cup fell apart, it gets blown up totally,'' the reporter said.

The publication of Vaughan's remarks led to Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes describing the comments as ''despicable''.

Cumbes's claim that ''rule one of any sport is that you don't slag your team-mates in public.'' Flintoff was stripped of the England vice-captaincy amid reports that he fell off a pedalo after reportedly drinking in St Lucia following first round defeat by New Zealand.

In the interview, Vaughan allegedly said those events ''changed the whole atmosphere'' in the England camp, with players reluctant to be seen out after matches.

''I didn't captain as well as I should've done because of the pressure I put myself under.'' But then he said what created the furore -- ''I'd admit that.

But I couldn't switch off because away from the field there was so much going on - with Bob Woolmer and 'Fredalo'.'' UNI