Brazil coach Tite critical of Messi's complaints

Posted July 07, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Brazil's coach Tite gestures during the final soccer match of the Copa America against Peru at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazil coach Tite has criticized Lionel Messi for his complaints against the Copa AmÃ©rica refereeing.

Brazil beat Messi's Argentina lineup in the semifinals and clinched the title Sunday with a 3-1 win over Peru.

"He has to have more respect and needs to accept when he loses," said Tite, who had praised the Argentine playmaker ahead of the semifinals.

Messi boycotted the medal ceremony after Argentina beat Chile in the third-place game on Saturday. He said he was protesting against the refereeing and "corruption" in the Copa AmÃ©rica.

Messi and a Chilean rival were red carded after their physical confrontation in the first half.

He said Argentina was not treated fairly and hinted that Brazil was benefiting as a result.

Tite said he didn't think Messi should have been sent off against Chile, and that a yellow card would have been enough.

Still, he said Messi should have been "more careful" with his words.

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Brazil's coach Tite is thrown in the air by players to celebrate their 3-1 victory over Peru at the end of the final Copa America soccer match at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Associated Press

Brazil soccer fans hold a cardboard cutout of Argentina's Lionel Messi after Brazil won 3-1 the final soccer match of the Copa America against Peru at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) The Associated Press

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