FIFA probes fight between Brazil official, Chile player

Rio de Janeiro, June 30 :

FIFA has opened an investigation into an alleged bust up between a Chile player and a Brazilian team official in the players’ tunnel during half-time in Saturday’s pre-quarterfinal match that the hosts won via penalties.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee will analyse a video that showed a fight in the players’ tunnel at the Minerao stadium in Belo Horizonte, reports EFE.

Media reports claimed that Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla was punched by Brazil’s communications director Rodrigo Paiva at half-time during the match.

Paiva, who is a well known figure in Brazilian football, claimed that he shoved Pinilla but only in self defence.

“It was not just me. Pinilla came towards me and I just defended myself. I reacted by pushing him,” Paiva was quoted as saying by the media.

Brazilian media reported that a scuffle broke out after Brazil striker Fred slapped Chile’s Gary Medel on the back of the head as they walked off the pitch.

Paiva and Chile’s assistant manager Sebastián Beccacece were involved in a confrontation following which Paiva punched Pinilla.

-IANS/EFE