The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation launched a blistering attack on referees, police and even ball boys after the Selecao’s World Cup qualifying campaign ended with a miserable 1-0 defeat by Bolivia.
Samir Xaud was left furious as Brazil stumbled through their final South American qualifier in El Alto, conceding a penalty on the stroke of half time and failing to find a way back, while the hosts celebrated wildly at 4,100 metres of altitude.
The hosts scored from the spot after Bruno Guimaraes was penalised for a foul, handing Bolivia victory and a place in next year’s intercontinental playoff.
Brazil, already qualified, looked drained throughout and created little of note despite Carlo Ancelotti sending on Marquinhos, Raphinha and teenage prodigy Estevao.
For Xaud, the night was defined less by fatigue and more by what he called ‘anti-game’, accusing officials and organisers of conspiring against the visitors. ‘What happened here today is sad,’ he told Brazilian outlet Globo.
‘We came to play football, and what we saw from the moment we arrived was completely anti-game. Even at this altitude we played against referees, against the police, and against the ball boys, taking balls off the field and throwing them back in. It was a real mess.’
Brazil ended their World Cup qualifying campaign in defeat as they were stunned by Bolivia zin El Alto
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation launched a blistering attack on referees, police and even ball boys
The president went further, describing the conditions as unworthy of international football.
‘It is not what we expect for world football or South American football. What we want is to grow the game, but this kind of attitude, especially when playing at altitude, is difficult. It felt like we were playing with 14 men on the field. I hope CONMEBOL takes action, because everything was recorded. This cannot happen, it is absurd.’
His anger also extended to security forces inside the stadium.
‘The police were brutal against the entire team and staff. It is something we do not expect. In Brazil we welcome all teams warmly, we embrace them and put everything at their disposal. When we play abroad, especially here, the reception is absurd. I am outraged.’
The specific flashpoint with ball boys came late on, when Brazil attempted to build attacks but were disrupted by multiple balls being thrown onto the pitch, forcing play to be halted and tempers to flare.
Rodrigo Caetano, Brazil’s general coordinator, was equally scathing, claiming the contest resembled ‘a different sport’ and admitting: ‘Bolivia have their merits, but we have to improve our football. We know complaints have little effect, but this cannot be ignored.’
Defeat meant Brazil ended the campaign in fifth place with 28 points from 18 games, their lowest tally in history and the first time they have failed to reach 30.
Their record stood at eight wins, four draws and six defeats, a meagre 51 per cent return that eclipses even the troubled build up to the 2002 World Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s changed side were unable to match their hosts intensity and end the qualifying stage with their lowest points total
In the old system, fifth place would have meant a playoff, but the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams has handed South America six automatic spots, sparing Brazil a nervy test.
They will be seeded at the finals because of their FIFA ranking, yet this campaign, marked by altitude struggles, rows over officiating and three different coaches before Ancelotti, leaves more doubts than answers.
