Goias involved in brawl with radio reporters
Reuters - Thursday 22 July 2010, 10:05
RIO DE JANEIRO - Goias players and their
coach Emerson Leao were involved in a brawl with radio reporters
after their team drew 2-2 away to Vitoria in a Brazilian
championship match.
Photographs showed former Brazil goalkeeper and coach Leao
being led away by police after the incidents at the Barradao
stadium in Salvador.
Media reports said he was taken to a police station for
questioning along with Goias striker Rafael Moura.
Trouble broke out after the final whistle of Wednesday's
mid-table match in which Vitoria had snatched an 89th minute
equaliser.
Leao, who coached Brazil from 2000 to 2001 and played in
goal for them at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, headed straight
to the referee to protest about the goal, claiming it was
offside.
Touchline radio reporters attempted to broadcast the
conversation, leading to a scuffle involving a number of Goias
players.
Television pictures showed that at one point, a reporter was
pushed to the ground by a Goias player.
Touchline reporters are a distinctive feature at Brazilian
matches. They interview players on the pitch immediately before
or after games, when players are sent off, and also run on to
the field when there is a disturbance.
Known for his fiery temper, the 61-year-old Leao is coaching
his 17th Brazilian club.
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