Olympiakos says no problem with Rivaldo

Greek league leaders Olympiakos released a statement denying local press reports that their Brazilian superstar Rivaldo, seen here in 2004, was not happy with coach Dusan Bajevic

Greek league leaders Olympiakos released a statement denying local press reports that their Brazilian superstar Rivaldo was not happy with coach Dusan Bajevic.

"With regard to articles that appeared today in the press and which spoke of a problem in relations between our footballer Rivaldo and our team's coach Dusan Bajevic, Olympiakos FC wants to clarify that no such issue exists," the statement said.

In regard to the absence of Rivaldo, the 1999 World Player of the Year and 2002 World Cup winner, from the team's training on Monday, Olympiakos said "it was due solely to a family matter."

The Greek press said Monday that Rivaldo was angry with Bajevic's decision to substitute him at halftime of Sunday's league match against Aris Salonika, which Olympiakos won 2-1 at home.

The domestic Athens News Agency reported that Rivaldo had met with Olympiakos vice-president George Louvaris Monday to lodge a complaint against Bajevic.

The Brazilian signed a two-year contract with Olympiakos during the summer with an option for an additional season on an annual salary of 1.8 million euros.