Brazil shrug off ´metal´ man Julio Cesar concerns


Brazil´s goalkeeper Julio Cesar is pictured during a match on June 25. Brazilian officials on Saturday played down concerns that Cesar needs to wear protective padding secured by a metal clasp beneath his jersey at the World Cup.

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Brazilian officials on Saturday played down concerns that goalkeeper Julio Cesar needs to wear protective padding secured by a metal clasp beneath his jersey at the World Cup.

The Inter Milan shot-stopper needed treatment after taking a heavy blow from Portugal's Raul Meirelles in Friday's 0-0 stalemate which saw the five-time champions book a last 16 encounter with Chile.

He resorted to wearing the protective padding as "psychological support" after taking the knock, but the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) played down the fact that the padding contains a small strip of metal.

FIFA guidelines stipulate that such supports should not contain metal but CBF official Rodrigo Paiva told reporters that the metallic part was merely a fastening and added that all material is approved by referees before matches.

Brazilian team doctor Jose Luiz Runco indicated that Julio Cesar had played with a similar protective padding two seasons ago at Inter.

Ironically, Brazil - as well as Portugal - voiced concerns over the protective cast Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba wore over his fractured arm and under his kit during the tournament after suffering the injury in a warm-up match just before the World Cup.

Drogba's cast also had a metallic component.

Meanwhile, Elano and Kaka, who missed the draw with Portugal for injury and suspension reasons respectively, were back training with the first eleven on Saturday at a college ground in Johannesburg ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Chile at Ellis Park.

Robinho is also set to start after complaining of a leg cramps against Portugal.

Gritty midfielder Felipe Melo could miss the Chile game with a knee strain suffered against the Portuguese and could give way to Josue.

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