FOOTBALL : Brazil coach Dunga has urged Manchester City to “show respect” to the five-times world champions as the row over Robinho’s involvement with the squad for Saturday’s game with England rumbles on.
Brazil coach Dunga has urged Manchester City to “show respect” to the five-times world champions as the row over Robinho’s involvement with the squad for Saturday’s game with England rumbles on.
Robinho has been sidelined with an ankle injury and travelled from City’s training camp in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening with club doctor Jamie Butler to have the problem assessed by the Brazilian medical staff in Doha. City boss Mark Hughes had been expecting Robinho to travel back on Thursday but Butler returned alone and Robinho has been training with his international team-mates.
Dunga is unhappy with City’s approach and, through a translator, said: “People need to know we are the five-times world champions. It is Brazil we are talking about.”
He added: “They (Manchester City) have got to have respect for us. They just can’t come to the team hotel and try and take the player (Robinho) away. There is a hierarchy here that needs to be respected.”
Robinho has ruled himself out of the game with Fabio Capello’s side but not Tuesday’s international with Oman – just four days before City take on Liverpool in a crucial Barclays Premier League clash.
The former Real Madrid playmaker insists he is “so happy” with City but the Brazilian star does not want to become involved in any potential club-versus-country row.
Robinho, via an official interpreter, said: “I am so happy with my club. People talk a lot but the truth is I’m trying to be happy to play again.
“It is important that I do a good job for my club so I can play for my country.
“My club pays me but I always want to be with the national team when they meet up and I don’t want a problem with my club or the national team.”
“My obligation is to be here, and it’s supported by FIFA. The people who need to understand each other are the Brazil national team and the club, not the player.
