Brazil head coach Tite has angrily hit back at allegations that Gabriel Jesus played with an existing injury at the World Cup.
Jesus’ World Cup campaign is over after he suffered a knee injury during the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday.
Reports in Brazil have claimed that the Arsenal forward will now undergo surgery and is likely to be ruled out for at least three months.
But it has also been alleged that Brazil and Tite knew that Jesus was not fully fit heading into the final group game against Cameroon.
When asked if he knew Jesus was in pain before the match against Cameroon, Tite replied: ‘That’s a very good question because I don’t like hearing lies out there, evil lies.
‘Those other people want to do bad things for others.
‘At no time, whatsoever, do we play for a victory at the risk or peril of a player.
‘So the liar who’s out there, because that’s the name isn’t it? The haters, right? They keep giving hate, it gives them an opportunity, go and do something else and stop giving fake news.
‘Arsenal have a great medical department, we have a great medical department, we are responsible, we are personally responsible, we are ethical, it would never have happened.
‘I didn’t want this to happen, it’s a shame, we are very sorry for Gabriel, yesterday we had Neymar, Thiago and Marquinhos chatting with him and then chatting with Telles.
‘We then had Cesar, Cesar had experience with the Brazilian national team and he lived this, he has experience of being removed [from a squad], he has more experience than I do to chat with them. And in one way or another, I’m going to say not to take the pain away, because obviously we can’t take that pain away, but to make them feel better, to strengthen them and to be able to participate with us as much as possible.’
Brazil’s assistant coach Cesar Sampario added: ‘It’s important for us to clarify because Tite and Juninho [Brazil’s team coordinator] specifically visited Arsenal and at no moment we were made aware, not only them but the medical staff.
‘I just repeat what Tite said, we will never put health at risk for any result.
‘Yes, an injury is difficult in an athlete’s career, regardless of when it happens, it’s always a situation of when you feel fragile of not being able to do what you love, especially at a World Cup, which is a dream come true.
‘We spent some time with them, giving them some support, we don’t know what we have ahead of us, but regardless of them being unable to be here physically they are part of this season.’
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