Rivaldo on last warning
06/06/2002 - 6:40:36 AM
Rivaldo has been warned that he faces being banned if he cheats
again during this World Cup.
The Brazilian star was yesterday fined a total of €7,000 for feigning a head injury when
Turkey’s Hakan Unsal fired the ball against his leg while Rivaldo was waiting to take a
corner.
It was the first time ever in the tournament a player has been fined and FIFA
communications director Keith Cooper said today: ‘‘It has been brought to the
attention of the Brazilian Football Federation that if he continues to behave in this
manner he may be sanctioned strongly by the FIFA
disciplinary committee.’’
There was little likelihood of Rivaldo being banned for a first offence - not least
because it would have provoked a storm in the Brazilian camp, but now he has had his last
warning.
FIFA’s disciplinary chief Marcel Mathier added: ‘‘It’s regrettable that a
world-class player such as Rivaldo has resorted to this type of subterfuge.
‘‘FIFA want to demonstrate that this type of simulation cannot be accepted and cannot
go unpunished. We were able to determine that Rivaldo had faked when he pretended to be
hit in the face and this is the reason we intervened.
‘‘Such behaviour means that everybody is cheated, not only the opponents but also the
referee and particularly the fans.’’
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