Brazilian star Rivaldo, branded a cheat by Fifa, has been warned about his future behaviour by the disciplinary committee of football’s governing world body.
Rivaldo was fined 11 500 Swiss francs ($7 350) for faking an inury when Turkish defender Hakan Unsal had kicked the ball at him, hitting him on the leg.
The Brazilian covered his face with his hands and fell to ground as if he had been seriously injured. Unsal was given a red card.
”It is regrettable that a world class such as Rivaldo has to resort to this type of subterfuge,” complained Marcel Mathier, chairman of the disciplinary committee.
”The referee had not been able to see the incident as clearly as the Fifa disciplinary committee, who on the grounds of the television images provided, could determined Rivaldo had faked when pretended to have been hit in the face,” he said.
”Such behaviour means that everybody is cheated, not only the opponents and the referee but also the football fans.
”If Rivaldo continues to behave in this manner, he may be sanctioned strongly by the Fifa disciplinary committee,” he added.
But despite the condemnation from Fifa and players alike, Rivaldo showed no remorse.
Asked if he regretted the incident, the Brazilian replied, ”No, no, no. I don’t regret anything. This (faking) is something that will never end in football.
”It is the kind of thing that is going to happen a lot in this World Cup.” – Sapa-AFP