Australia NewsJuninho Tells Brazil Of Oz 'Violence' |
SYDNEY marquee star Juninho has slammed the A-League in the Brazilian press and claimed: "Defenders in Australia are extremely violent."
In an interview with a Brazilian newspaper, the pint-sized star says he is pleading with referees to clamp down on ugly tackles.He has been heavily marked in the A-league since arriving at Sydney this season and continues to be on the receiving end of punishing tackles as he nurses his shoulder injury.
Juninho ripped the tendons from the bone after a tackle by Ange Costanzo sent him crashing awkwardly to the ground in the game against Adelaide United earlier this season.
"I am suffering a lot because of the violence," said Juninho. "The tackling is continuous and I know it belongs to football. But it cannot be the main part of the game.
"It is not like this anywhere so it should not be like this here. Unfortunately this football has a lot to improve, especially the violence which has been used in Australia."
He added: "I am begging the referees to do the utmost and all they can to stop the violent game that makes Australia have an ugly football.
"Defenders in Australia are extremely violent. They first think of tackling and not the football."
But Juninho - who played in the rough and tumble of the English Premier League with Middlesbrough and the Scottish Premier League at Celtic - also had praise for the local talent in Australia.
"They have amazing potential," he said. "They have great players in Australia.
"But referees must protect creative and skilled players. We are at the mercy of violence and players who first think to destroy.
"There are excellent players who could build up an excellent football but they become scared."
And he revealed that despite the ugly tackles, he had already settled into Australian life.
"I am in love with this country," he said. "I am not sorry for my move.
"The only thing I'm saying is for referees to do all they can, to keep the fair play. Because in the end everyone will enjoy it.
"The public and the creative player will be more secure to show the beautiful game."
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