Brazil have to leave God on the bench (Feature)

By Diana Renee Jun 12, 2010, 12:33 GMT

Johannesburg, - Because of FIFA's new regulation Brazil's traditional 12th man will have to stay on the bench during the 2010 World Cup.

'They have asked that we obey the rules,' Brazil's press officer Rodrigo Paiva told German Press Agency dpa in reference to the new control on players showing political or religious messages on their shirts.

The incident that brought about the new rule came in the final of last season's Confederations Cup when Brazil captain Lucio took his players into the centre-circle of Ellis Park in Johannesburg to pray after Brazil's 3-2 win over the United States.

The president of the Danish Football Federation Jim Stjerne Hansen protested to FIFA arguing that: 'There is no place for religion in football. Just as we do not permit any political messages, religious ones should also be excluded.'

Brazil were not punished, but a source close to FIFA told dpa that they wanted to moderate this type of display of faith.

'What Brazil did gave FIFA a new problem. It was not strictly against the rules but it was perhaps against the spirit of the rules,' they said.

In Germany 2006, the influence of the so-called Athletes for Christ in the Brazil squad seemed to be balanced out by the playboy antics of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano whose temples of preference are normally the discos.

But after coach Carlos Dunga got rid of Ronaldo and friends there was no stopping the more pious members of the squad.

Assistant coach Jorginho is among the leaders of the Athletes of Christ. The group of six players also includes Kaka and captain Lucio.

One source from the Brazil camp said that the five-times winners of the World Cup will obey the new regulations but if they go on to win the tournament then there will be 'no way of stopping another outpouring of religious fervour'.