South American Dispatch: Roberto Carlos Seeing Red Back In Brazil

Despite Corinthians getting their Campeonato Paulista campaign back on track this weekend with a 1-0 win at Sao Caetano, left back Roberto Carlos is still not happy.

The former international is still reacting to his sending off in Corinthians’ 2-1 defeat to Santos in a previous round of the championship. Roberto Carlos was given his marching orders during the game with Santos after referee Jose Henrique de Carvalho gave him a second yellow for a dive in the penalty area.

Roberto Carlos played 90 minutes this weekend in the win over Sao Caetano because the CBF are yet to decide on the defender’s punishment. The former Real Madrid man’s suspension could be anything up to six matches after he was also sent off against Palmeiras during his Corinthians debut.

The 2002 World Cup winner was still protesting his innocence this weekend and he insists he was not out to fool the referee.

“I’m not worried about the suspension because I know I did not try to trick anybody. I was travelling at speed and fell when I was challenged, which is normal. It is impossible for me to throw myself down in the area and I have never dived for a penalty in my life.”

As well as his own testimony, the defender has also gathered other criticism of referee Carvalho which he hopes will help his appeal against a possible suspension.

“Even the referee knew he had made a mistake when he sent me off. I’m not crying about the situation but everybody on the pitch saw what happened and knew a mistake had been made.”

After being sent off against Palmeiras in his first game back in Brazil the left back was handed a two-match suspension which was eventually reduced to a single game. Whatever ban Roberto Carlos eventually receives it will not apply to Copa Libertadores matches.

Adriano Omitted From Copa Libertadores Squad

The management at Flamengo have gone public with their concerns over Adriano’s drink problem. The club’s vice president Marcos Braz revealed the reasons why the striker was excused from Flamengo’s Campeonato Carioca game with Resende as well as this week’s Copa Libertadores match with Caracas F.C.

“He has a drinking problem. When he starts he can’t stop.”

In the interview with Radio Bandeirantes, the Flamengo official made reference to Adriano’s problems with his fianceé Joana Machado. The vice-president also dismissed claims that the club were protecting Adriano from drug testing.

“We have a problem when people start talking about us trying to hide Adriano from doping tests, that is very far from the truth. Everyone knows the problems that he has and the history he has with drink.”

Maradona’s Sleepless Nights

Whilst Diego Maradona has ridden himself of the demons that led him to drug addiction he is still being kept awake at night by a recurring dream.

Argentina’s head coach revealed to German newspaper Bild that at night he wakes up from his sleep yelling “Champions” at the top of his voice as he dreams of leading his country to victory in South Africa.

Confidence is starting to surge through fans of Argentina as last week’s 1-0 friendly win over Germany put the two-time World Cup winners’ difficult qualifying campaign behind them.

“I’m excited about travelling to the World Cup and, God willing, we are going to win the title.”

Maradona also gave his views on Germany’s chances of success in South Africa after getting an up-close view of Joachim Low’s team. The 1986 World Cup winner sees room for improvement in the German defence.

“I don’t think Germany are favourites this time. You can never completely rule them out but they’re not in the top group of teams right now. Of course they will be strong but I think they need to improve at the back.”

It is the Argentine defence which has caused Maradona headaches when selecting his own sides, but after shutting out the Germans he appears set to proceed with the cautious measure of playing with four centre-backs. Picking Nicolas Otamendi and Gabriel Heinze at full-back may not be the most adventurous choices available to Maradona, but the victory over Germany demonstrated how effective it can be.