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Lula Criticizes both the Referee and the National Soccer Team during his First World Cup as an Analyst on the Radio

06/19/2018 - 12h12

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JOELMIR TAVARES
RODRIGO BORGES DELFIM
FROM SÃO PAULO

In his first comment as a World Cup radio analyst, which he submitted to channel TVT (Workers' TV) from his prison cell, former president Lula (PT) said that he was disappointed in the Brazilian national team after it debuted in the World Cup in a 1-1 tie against Switzerland on Sunday (the 17th).

"The national team's debut helped demonstrate a maxim that we always use to describe soccer: training is one thing, playing is another," the former president said in a text that was read by one of the broadcasters at the station, which is run by the Metalworkers' Union of the ABC region and by the Bank Workers' Union of São Paulo, Osasco and surroundings.

Lula was announced as a World Cup commentator for a radio station by journalist José Trajano, a former ESPN employee. Lula's analysis aired on his show "Papo com Zé Trajano" on Monday (the 18th).

Lula said that the team "had to win", because of its legacy and because it's the only five-time World Cup champion.

Lula felt sorry for Neymar and complained about Switzerland's approach to the game. "They fouled Neymar and didn't let him play." Lula also said that the referee was partly responsible for Brazil's poor performance.

The former president maintained that Brazil will need to remain alert when it plays its next opponent, Costa Rica. "After all, everyone knows that there came a day where little David managed to defeat Goliath".

Mr. Trajano said on his show that whether Lula's future commentaries get featured on "Papo com Zé Trajano" will be up to the former president. "But he can send his analyses whenever he wants," the journalist said.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

Read the article in the original language

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* "[Military Intervention in Rio: Less Robberies, More Police Related Deaths
]":https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2018/06/1971976-military-intervention-in-rio-less-robberies-more-police-related-deaths.shtml

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