Brazil reached the Soccer World Cup’s last 16 with a 3-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday which was soured by a controversial red card for Kaka, while France’s players went on strike over Nicolas Anelka.
Amid chaotic scenes, the French players refused to train and issued a statement protesting against their federation’s decision to kick their star striker out of the World Cup for a foul-mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech.
At Soccer City, Brazilian superstar Kaka was dismissed for a second yellow card for pushing defender Abdelkader Keita, but it appeared the Ivorian had run into him and play-acted after falling to the ground clutching his head.
Brazil impressed with two goals from Luis Fabiano and a strike from Elano, with Còte d’Ivoire star Didier Drogba replying with a header for the west Africans as he started despite still nursing a broken arm.
But the sending-off of a disbelieving Kaka and what appeared to be a nasty shin injury for Elano clouded the victory.
‘Totally unjustified’
Brazil coach Dunga was furious at the red card for the deeply religious Kaka who has an exemplary disciplinary record.
“It was a totally unjustified dismissal, he was fouled and yet he was punished. The player who commits the foul escapes the yellow card, I have to congratulate him for that,” said Dunga.
“We are left a bit in doubt, what do we have to do in order not to receive these yellow cards?
“We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days.”
The Ivorians’ defeat also did little to improve the battered pride of the host continent after just one African victory in 12 outings while Cameroon have already been eliminated.
French revolution
The sleepy Western Cape tourist resort of Knysna was the scene of a French revolt as the players’ boycott led top French Football Federation (FF) official Jean-Louis Valentin to resign, saying he was “disgusted” at the day’s dramatic turn of events.
The players themselves released a statement expressing their opposition to the decision to send Anelka home for his outburst aimed at Domenech at half-time of the 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Thursday which left France teetering on the brink.
The players said they deplored the way the dressing room bust-up between Anelka and the coach had been revealed by sports daily L’Equipe.
“We regret the incident at half-time of the France vs Mexico match, but we regret even more the divulging of an event which was only the squad’s business and was part and parcel of the life of a top-level team,” the statement added.
“The FFF did not at any point try to protect the squad,” the players said.
A mini-revolt also appeared to be taking place in the England camp, after key defender John Terry backed his Chelsea teammate and “good guy” Anelka and joked that a few England players could also be going home after a Sunday summit with coach Fabio Capello.
No details immediately emerged from the meeting designed to clear the air after England’s dismal goalless draw with Algeria which leaves them needing to beat Slovenia on Wednesday to survive.
New Zealand shock Italy
On the field, New Zealand gave Italy a huge shock in Nelspruit as they held the defending champions to a 1-1 draw.
New Zealand, who had to win a play-off with Bahrain to reach South Africa as Oceania is not considered strong enough to warrant an automatic place, stunned the Italians when Shane Smeltz scored on seven minutes.
Vincenzo Iaquinta levelled from a first half penalty and Wellington-based Mark Paston made several breathtaking saves as the Kiwis followed up a late equaliser against Slovakia with an even more memorable point.
The ageing Italians must win against Slovakia on Thursday to salvage their qualification hopes.
Paraguay took a surprise two-point lead in Italy’s Group F by outclassing the Slovaks 2-0 in Bloemfontein.
Midfielders Enrique Vera amd Cristian Riveros were on target for Paraguay, who followed up a draw against the Italians with a polished performance. — AFP