Bolivian police accused of “brutality” as Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil end worst-ever World Cup qualifying campaign with another defeat

Samir Xaud, the president of the Brazilian Football Federation, lashed out after the Selecao ended their worst-ever World Cup qualifying campaign with a chaotic 1-0 defeat in Bolivia – criticising the referee, the police and the ball boys.

Bolivia’s win – courtesy of Miguel Terceros’ penalty in first-half stoppage time following a silly foul from Bruno Guimaraes – means they clinched seventh place in the Conmebol standings, and a place in the intercontinental playoffs for next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For Brazil, it was another poor display under Carlo Ancelotti which left them in fifth place in the standings with just eight wins from their 18 qualifiers.

Xaud lashes out as Brazil lose

Xaud refused to question the former Real Madrid boss, however, and reserved his ire for everyone from the match officials to local security officers and children.

“What happened here today is sad,” he told Globo, pinpointing incidents late in the game when the ball boys threw balls on to the field to stop the game and disrupt Brazil’s hopes of grabbing an equaliser.

“We came to play football, and what we saw from the moment we arrived was completely anti-football. Even at this altitude we played against referees, against the police, and against the ball boys, taking balls off the field and throwing them back in. It was a real mess.

“It is not what we expect for world football or South American football. What we want is to grow the game, but this kind of attitude, especially when playing at altitude, is difficult. It felt like we were playing against 14 men on the field. I hope Conmebol takes action, because everything was recorded. This cannot happen, it is absurd.”

Xaud claims Ancelotti and his players had to contend with “brutal” policing before the game, adding: “The police were brutal against the entire team and staff. It is something we do not expect. In Brazil we welcome all teams warmly, we embrace them and put everything at their disposal. When we play abroad, especially here, the reception is absurd. I am outraged.”

Caetano says Brazil will report the incidents to Conmebol

Brazil’s general co-ordinator Rodrigo Caetano was equally incandescent.

He said: “We have never seen anything like it. It is obvious that we will do what we are responsible for, which is to raise our complaints, our protests with Conmebol. But we know that this has zero practical effect. 

“After the penalty there was no more game. We prepared ourselves knowing that it would be like that. Bolivia has its merits, but we have to evolve our football.

“We just have to see the number of points they [Bolivia] got here and how many they got away from home. It is almost a different sport that is played here.”

Ancelotti praises Brazil’s efforts despite defeat

Given the circumstances – the game was played in El Alto at over 4000 metres above sea level – Ancelotti was willing to go easy on his team despite a jaded display.

“I saw the effort of the team, of the players, because it is very difficult to play here,” he said. “That was already known. The players made a tremendous effort, the game was very complicated, difficult from the technical component and the physical component. 

“I have maximum confidence in the team to make a successful World Cup and fight in every game. Today’s game was different in every way.”

Brazil will hope to restore some much-needed confidence with two friendlies during the October international break.

They face South Korea on October 10 before taking on Japan four days later.