|
Zagallo defends Ronaldo decision
Posted: Tuesday September 15, 1998 05:46 PM
| |
Mario Zagallo is standing behind his star Ronaldo, saying he should have played in the World Cup final Mark Thompson/Allsport |
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN/SI)
-- Mario Zagallo, Brazil's coach, dismissed criticism that he allowed
Ronaldo, to play despite suffering convulsions hours before the World Cup
final, a newspaper reported Thursday. The owner of Ronaldo's Italian
club, Massimo Moratti criticized Zagallo for allowing Ronaldo to play after
he suffered from convulsions just hour's before Sunday's World Cup final.
"The Brazilian federation behaved in an absurd manner," Moratti told
reporters on Tuesday. O Estado de Sao Paulo quoted Zagallo as
saying that Moratti himself put undue pressure on Ronaldo. The Brazilian
coach encouraged fans and journalists to support Ronaldo. "Ronaldo
needs support as a human being. ... He is going through an ordeal," Zagallo
was quoted in O Estado de Sao Paulo. A spokesman for the
Brazilian Soccer Confederation could not be reached for comment
immediately. Ronaldo was shown on TV Globo News walking pass
reporters outside his mother's house without comment on Thursday. He has
repeatedly refused to speak with reporters who have pursued him
relentlessly since his return from France earlier
this week.
| Related information |
| Multimedia |
 Click here for the latest audio and video
|
| Message Boards |
What would you have done?
Zagallo's decision was a tough one. Tell us what you would have done on the CNN/SI World Cup Message Board!
Join the discussion
|
| Search our site | Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day |
|
|
Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. |
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
| 
