RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian women's soccer team have long complained of a lack of interest in their side. Now, they seem to have got more than they bargained for.

During a two-week training camp for the women's World Cup, the Brazil camp has been swarming with photographers, TV cameramen and reporters after it was decided to call up the previously uncapped Milene Domingues, best known as the wife of Ronaldo, Brazil's famed World Cup striker in the men's game.

Milene has now won her place in the 20-strong squad for the women's tournament, which starts on Saturday in the United States.

There is only one snag.

Critics say she is not good enough to make the team and is taking the place of better players.

Before she met Ronaldo, Milene had become known as the "Queen of the Keep-ups," displaying her talents for keeping a ball in the air on numerous TV shows.

But her inclusion in the World Cup squad has sparked the same sort of controversy which often affects Brazil's male team, with critics accusing the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) of putting commercial interests above the team.

"Nothing justifies the CBF's manoeuvre in giving priority to Madame Nazario (Ronaldo's surname) in the naming of the Brazil squad," wrote veteran commentator Armando Nogueira.

More time

"Milene has already played for teams in Italy, now she's playing in Spain and, by the look of things, is not drumming up much enthusiasm. It's not the same as playing keep-up."

Curiously, Milene was named in the squad shortly after coach Paulo Goncalves said she was not good enough to make the cut.

During a week-long training camp for 26 players, Goncalves said: "Today, she would not be among the 20 because she needs more time to adapt."

But he admitted: "The marketing is very important to lift the women's game in Brazil, which has no support whatsoever, but the tactical side of things also had an influence.

"I was asked about the possibility of calling on Milene and I accepted that it was there, because she has potential."

The CBF then reached a compromise with Goncalves, allowing him to name 18 players with the other two being chosen by Luiz Miguel de Oliveira, head of the Brazil delegation for the tournament.

Milene was one of the two picked by Oliveira.

"There's great media interest because she's Ronaldo's wife," Goncalves said. "That's very good for women's football in Brazil because she's brought a positive image to this sport."

Image damaged

Almost immediately, that image was damaged by a flurry of media reports about discontent in the team camp.

Thirty-three-year-old full-back Tatiana, who missed out on the cut, led the criticism.

"It was injustice," she fumed.

Roseli, another regular left out of the squad, said she felt like retiring. "Milene doesn't deserve to be on the team, she's just arrived on the scene. I've been wearing this shirt for 20 years."

There were also reports that the players were unhappy with the training methods of coach Goncalves.

It is a far cry from last month's Pan American Games in Santo Domingo where Brazil won the gold medal and the players begged for better support and, in particular, the creating of a women's championship in Brazil.

Many of the players said they only earn money when they are called up for the national team.

"Milene is taking away the bread and butter of a player for whom football is not just a mere pastime; it's a tough means of survival," said Nogueira.

"The team needs Milene's prestige. But her place its not on the pitch. It's in the VIP box, as an ambassador for women's football."

Agencies via Xinhua

(China Daily 09/20/2003 page7)