Scolari fails to see funny side of 'clown' reporter
Reuters - Thursday 28 October 2010, 09:21
RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil coach Luiz
Felipe Scolari told a reporter he was a clown and suggested the
referee had used television replays to change a decision after
his Palmeiras team were held 1-1 by Atletico Mineiro.
'Big Phil' lost his cool during the post-match media
conference, broadcast on Brazilian television, when he was
asked why he had fielded midfielder Jorge Valdivia.
The Chile international has been plagued with muscular
problems recently and was substituted after only 18 minutes of
the game.
"No, no, no, no," said Scolari, grimacing and shaking his
head when reporters suggested he had made the wrong decision.
"You lot really are a pain," he said, screwing up his face.
"He played for 18 minutes, that's good for me."
"Go you and interview the doctor," added Scolari, his eyes
rolling menacingly. "You lot are just clowning around and
you're one of the biggest clowns," he said, gesturing towards
one television reporter.
Scolari, once a fiery figure who frequently clashed with
referees and opponents, mellowed during his stints as Portugal
coach and subsequently with English Premier League side
Chelsea.
However, the pressures of coaching in Brazil appear to have
brought back his more volatile side.
Scolari was also angry after his team were awarded a
penalty, only for the referee to change his mind after speaking
to his assistant.
"We were told the referee or linesmen received information
by radio from somebody outside the four lines (pitch)," he
said.
"We will look into it to find out if it was radio or
television or where it might have come from.
"This isn't the first time Palmeiras have been awarded a
penalty which we didn't get to take."
The teams were meeting in a quarter-final, first leg tie in
the Copa Sudamericana, the region's equivalent of the Europa
League.