Brazil Coach Did Not Object to FIFA Not Ranking Algerian Team Africa’s Best
The Claim
The coach of Brazil’s national team made a statement about FIFA’s ranking of Algeria’s national team in Africa.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts have recently shared an alleged statement attributed to the coach of Brazil’s national team Adenor Leonardo Bachi, known as Tite. The statement reads: “I do not understand FIFA’s ranking [system]. Are they waiting for the Algerian team to win the World Cup and Confederations Cup to be ranked as Africa’s top team? It is already one of the top 10 teams worldwide.”
Description: The screenshot captures the purported claim as it was shared on Facebook.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team investigated the circulated claim and found that it was fake. The coach of Brazil’s national team did not make the alleged statement, nor did any reliable news source publish the said statement.
Tite’s latest statements were about the Arab Cup, when he was in Qatar recently along with his delegation. Tite at the time visited sports facilities during the Doha-hosted Arab Cup and told Qatar’s Arabic-language Al Raya newspaper that he was astonished by the amazing facilities, infrastructure and preparations whether regarding stadiums and training places or residences and hotels. He also commended the easy access and proximity to stadiums. The Brazilian coach also attended some of the matches and praised the efficient organizing of the event.
Description: The tweet here shares the link of the interview with Tite on the Al Raya newspaper.
The claim has been circulating against the backdrop of FIFA’s release of its 2021 rankings in December, where the Algerian team placed 29th worldwide, 3rd in Africa, and 2nd in the Arab world.
Description: The tweet shows the rankings of countries worldwide, with the top 10 shown in the attached photo.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
