Brazil Accuses Bolivia: Arbitration, Police, and Balls in Defeat

Brazil Suffers Defeat Against Bolivia and Criticizes the Match Environment

The president of the Brazilian Football Federation, Samir Xaud, expressed his discontent after Brazil’s 1-0 defeat against Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers. Xaud accused the referees, the police, and the ball boys of influencing the outcome of the match. Despite already having secured a place in next year’s tournament, the Brazilian national team, led by Carlo Ancelotti, suffered its first defeat in El Alto. Miguel Terceros’ goal, scored from the penalty spot after VAR review, gave Bolivia the opportunity to advance to the play-off tournament for the 2026 World Cup.

“We came to play football, and what we saw from the moment we arrived was something completely anti-game,” stated Xaud.

Samir Xaud

Ancelotti also showed his disapproval of the refereeing and was caught on camera arguing with the referees as he entered the tunnel during halftime. Both Xaud and Ancelotti criticized the ball boys for supposedly wasting time.

In the final minutes of the match, balls were thrown onto the field to interrupt Brazil’s attacks.

“The officials have to control that,” Ancelotti said.

Carlo Ancelotti

Xaud added: “Even at this altitude of 4,000 meters, we played against the referees, the police, and the ball boys, who took the balls off the field and put them back on the field. It was a real disaster. This is not what we expect for world football or South American football. What we want is to grow even more.” “This kind of attitude, especially when playing at altitude, is difficult. I hope CONMEBOL takes action, precisely because we have everything recorded. This cannot happen; it’s absurd.” Xaud was also “outraged” by the local police’s treatment of his delegation, although he did not offer details.

“The police were horrible against the whole team, the whole coaching staff,” he stated. “It’s something we don’t expect. We welcome all teams with great affection, we embrace them. We put everything at their disposal, and when we play outside of Brazil, especially here, the reception we receive here is absurd. I am outraged.”

Samir Xaud

Brazil finished the campaign in fifth position in the table, with 28 points, their worst result in the history of the World Cup qualifiers. In the match against Bolivia, Ancelotti made several changes compared to the team that defeated Chile 3-0 the previous week.

Despite the defeat, Ancelotti preferred to focus on the positive aspects. “That [World Cup] is the goal”, said Ancelotti. “I think we will do well in the World Cup.”

Bolivia’s President, Luis Arce, congratulated his team for qualifying for the World Cup playoffs.

Luis Arce’s post on X