Fred asks Fluminense not to pick him
Reuters - Friday 05 August 2011, 01:04
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil striker Fred asked
Fluminense not to pick him for the club's match against
Internacional on Thursday, claiming psychological problems after
being pursued by fans who found him drinking in a Rio bar.
Fred, who played for Brazil at last month's Copa America in
Argentina, would have been in the starting line-up for the
Brazilian championship match.
"The athlete asked not to be chosen for tonight's game,
against Internacional, at the Engenhao (Olympic stadium). Fred
claimed he was not fit psychologically to play because he felt
threatened, in view of the episode... in a southern area
restaurant on Tuesday," Fluminense said in a statement.
According to media reports, Fred and team mate Rafael Moura
were seen by fans drinking 'caipirinhas' - a Brazilian cocktail - in the company of women in the early hours of Wednesday in a
bar in the Rio beach district of Ipanema.
After leaving the bar with their companions, Fred and Moura
were pursued in their cars by the fans, who felt aggrieved to
see the players out drinking before a match, local media said.