According to a report by the Telegraphs, the Brazilians have rebuked allegations by rival Chile that one of the assigned referee in their last 16-tie match at the World Cup on Saturday would be favoring the World Cup hosts. Webb, who had also don duties as a referee in the previous World Cup, is England's representative selected by FIFA to take charge of the potential tie between the two countries. The news outlet said Brazil, who has since lorded over Chile in football, is increasingly worried about the latter's improvements in the sport in recent years.
When a press question aimed at Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari regarding his comments on the Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez's allegations, Brazilian Football Federation senior press officer Rodrigo Paiva cut through the question and said, "We are going to talk about this only once. This is immature at the moment in football and the world we are living in today. This is ridiculous. Talking about this is not just a lack of respect to Fifa and the Brazil Selecao, but the whole of Brazil and the Brazilian people. It is a lack of respect. Brazil does not need a referee to win a match. You are insulting Brazil and the Brazilian people."
On the other hand, Scolari shared his growing anxiety during the pre-match conference considering that he has a responsibility to deliver.
"Now we are in the knockout stages we can't lose and we can't make a mistake. So then we become involved in a slightly different manner, slightly more afraid and nervous. That's normal at a World Cup and it's not because it's in Brazil. But when I'm with the players I have to convey my experience. Only when I am alone can I feel a little afraid. But I can't be like that with them," he said.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva, who sat alongside Scolari also shared insights about his feelings and the pressure to succeed in the tournament. He added, "You are constantly thinking of it. Even for a year before the World Cup I was thinking of Paris St-Germain [his club] but also the Brazilian national team and because this World Cup was in my home country. It is impossible to shut it off."
When asked about Chile's side, Silva said, "He [Sanchez] is here to be a landmark in history. But I am also here to make history. We respect the Chilean team even if they don't respect us."
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