International news: Brazil coach Dunga bans mobiles, caps, earrings and flip-flops
Thursday 23 October 2014 18:41, UK
Brazil has launched a disciplinary crackdown and told its players they must avoid wearing earrings, caps and flip-flops while on international duty.
Dunga, who replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in July following Brazil’s disastrous World Cup, has sent players a letter outlining restrictions that also cover the use of mobile phones and tablet computers during meals and team talks.
The letter also told them to sing the national anthem before games, avoid any political or religious statements and said they would be held responsible for paying their own phone bills and excess baggage costs.
Dunga, a well-known authoritarian who captained Brazil to triumph in the 1994 World Cup, claimed he was not banning the players, but they will know that flouting the rules could mean exclusion from future squads.
We explained it to players and we realised they wanted limits. It's not a ban. Every organisation has rules.
"We suggest things so that there's a better atmosphere," Dunga said as he announced a 23-man squad to face Turkey and Austria next month.
"We explained it to players and we realised they wanted limits. It's not a ban. Every organisation has rules."
Dunga has recalled Paris Saint-Germain players Thiago Silva and Lucas for next month's friendlies.
Porto midfielder Casemiro and Hoffenheim striker Firmino earn surprise call-ups while Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano, who scored five goals in the Champions League on Tuesday, is also included.
Brazil squad: Goalkeepers: Rafael (Napoli), Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia).
Defenders: Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Alex Sandro (Porto), Danilo (Porto), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Atletico Madrid).
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Romulo (Spartak Moscow), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Casemiro (Porto), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Luiz Adriano (Shaktar Donetsk), Douglas Costa (Shaktar Donetsk), Firmino (Hoffenheim).
