Romario's Mexico jaunt killed off Brazil recall hopes

The decision by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to drop star striker Romario is due to injuries.

Scolari said that the 35 year old striker had lost form after a run of injuries but the Vasco da Gama star infuriated the CBF and Scolari when he ducked out of the Copa America claiming injury but went n tour with Vasco to Mexico as the club prepared for the Copa Mercosur which stared on Saturday.

Scolari has also clashed with Flamengo striker Edilson but he is a candidate to lead the attack as Brazil host Paraguay in a crucial 2002 World Cup qualifier on August 15th.

Technical director Antonio Lopes said that Italian club Parma had asked for full-back Junior to be released from the friendly against Panama on August 12th but that Brazil would not accept the request.

FIFA rules – stating that players have to be released by their clubs five days in advance of internationals – back Brazil and European clubs will have to surrender their stars even if they are unlikey to be risked against the Panamanian team..

Two internationals in eight days allows federations to keep the players for the entire time.