Van Gaal slams FIFA

Sao Paulo, June 23 (IANS/EFE) Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal criticised FIFA for some refereeing and organisational issues regarding the World Cup.

"FIFA, with its great wisdom, decided to hold a press conference before training which is not very smart," van Gaal said.

Traditionally, players who play the match participate in the pre-match conference but van Gaal appeared with injured Bruno Martins Indi who will not play the match. "The players have to concentrate. Bruno is injured so he is with me here," van Gaal said.

The future Manchester United manager also criticised the fact that Brazil will face Cameroon after Netherlands meet Chile, despite the fact that Brazil's Group A and Netherlands' Group B are linked.

"I don't think this will affect Brazil who will perform their sporting duty. This is Fair Play, as FIFA says."

Regarding refereeing in the tournament and the designation of Gambian referee Bakary Gassama for the game, van Gaal said: "I won't give my opinion on the referee. I assume FIFA selects excellent referees" adding that his team won two games against Spain and Australia despite that it conceded two incorrect penalties.

Netherlands face Chile at the Arena de São Paulo here Monday with both teams aiming to top Group B after both were guaranteed qualification to the second round.

--IANS/EFE

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