Brazil’s Cup of joy falling flat

Two members of Brazil’s squad have found themselves unwanted by European clubs and the domestic scene has been very much its usual self as a flurry of court injunctions threaten to wreak havoc with the Brazilian championship. Eight years ago, Brazil’s fourth world title was tainted after the delegation returned home with a planeload of electro-domestic goods and demanded they be allowed to import them duty free. The head of Brazil’s tax service resigned in protest after the government gave in.

Nothing as serious has happened this time but commentators are still questioning whether, despite five world titles, Brazil have learned one of the most important lessons in sport: how to take victory the right way. Controversy began right after the final whistle in Yokohama, when several players flouted FIFA regulations by celebrating in T-shirts bearing religious messages.

Two days later, a victory parade in Rio de Janeiro turned sour when the exhausted squad voted to turn back before reaching the end of the route. Angry fans threw stones at the team bus. This week Scolari, who preached unity and internal harmony throughout the Cup, was being accused of breaking his own rules with his comments on Ronaldo. The man known as Big Phil, never the most diplomatic, questioned whether Ronaldo would ever regain the power and explosive acceleration. (Reuters)