Cannavaro asks ‘why only us’ after Uzbekistan searched on World Cup arrival

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Así fue el protocolo de seguridad con la Selección de Uzbekistán previo al amistoso contra Países Bajos en Estados Unidos.🇺🇿 pic.twitter.com/D1SzMEYZcP

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Cannavaro, Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d’Or winner, took charge of Uzbekistan earlier this year after the central Asian nation qualified for their first World Cup in 34 years of independence. In a December interview with the Guardian, he described what drew him to the project.

“This one I did because it’s a young national team, with many talented young players,” he said. “The federation is focusing a lot on academies across Uzbekistan and they’re producing good players. That was important for me.”

He had spent 40 days travelling across the country immediately after taking the job, watching matches daily. “They weren’t used to that,” he told the Guardian. “Many foreign coaches watched a few games and then left.”

Of his players, he said: “Uzbeks are tough, people who fight, who never give up. Playing against them is a pain in the arse.”

It is the World Cup that was not thinkable for Uzbekistan 30 years ago. On Monday night, its coach and squad stood outside a bus while their bags were searched.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Cannavaro questioned why his team had been singled out.

“They said to me it’s the rules, but in the end the check was only for us,” he said. “You need to ask them.”
FIFA has not commented.