Marcelo Bielsa rebukes World Cup photo queries after Uruguay’s 1-1 draw | OneFootball

Marcelo Bielsa dismissed questions about his official FIFA World Cup photo after Uruguay’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Miami, insisting he owed no explanation.

Uruguay dominated at Hard Rock Stadium yet trailed to Abdulelah Al-Amri’s first-half header, before Maximiliano Araujo levelled in the 80th minute to secure a point.

Pre-match, a video of Bielsa’s portrait circulated online. While players often play to the camera, the former Leeds United manager stood still with his gaze down, prompting suggestions of a protest.

"I don't have to give any explanation," Bielsa said. "The picture was taken the way it was taken. I'm not a model." He also said: "There are no explanations for me to give." And: "I did nothing wrong."

The two-time World Cup winners endured a disrupted build-up, with their arrival from Cancun to Florida delayed by paperwork. FIFA said an airline permitting error in Mexico held up the flight, the airline apologised and it worked with partners to speed up the process.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk