Marcelo Bielsa has fiercely pushed back against questions regarding his official FIFA World Cup photograph, insisting he is "not a model." The Uruguay manager was caught on camera apparently refusing to engage during his pre-World Cup media obligations, with the footage quickly spreading across social media. The 70-year-old was pictured staring at the ground in his official photo.
The image has since gone viral, leaving fans baffled by his reluctance to face the camera. The former Leeds boss, however, was in no mood to address the picture during his post-match press conference. This came after Uruguay's opening 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia left him disappointed.
Bielsa's Response to Photo Questions
"I don't have to give any explanation," said Bielsa. "The picture was taken the way it was taken. I'm not a model. I have no answer for that. Should I also explain why I don't look at those who are speaking now [in the news conference]? There are no explanations for me to give."
Bielsa appeared visibly irritated by the question and later, without prompting, lashed out at the furore surrounding the photograph once more. He added: "I believe there's a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I look up or down, there are so many things to be explained? Some situations do not need to be explained. We have no obligation to behave as models. Those things have no foundation. I did nothing wrong."
Travel Chaos Before the Match
His remarks come in the wake of chaotic scenes that left his side's travel arrangements in disarray less than 24 hours before their opening fixture. Uruguay were scheduled to fly from Cancun to Florida but documentation issues affecting the aircraft delayed their arrival. Uruguay's FA criticised FIFA for the farcical circumstances. However, the organisation attributed it to an 'airline permitting error' in a statement.
Bielsa's Criticism of Football Authorities
Bielsa, who will step down from his position following the tournament, has previously criticised football authorities over the organisation of major competitions. Most notably he spoke out about the sport being turned into a money-making machine and the condition of security and pitches at the previous Copa America.
Match Analysis: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia
Despite going into Monday's fixture as favourites, Bielsa was forced to accept a draw after Maximiliano Araujo's 80th-minute strike levelled Abdulelah Al-Amri's first-half opener. Uruguay were the more dominant team on the whole, recovering from a lacklustre first half to end the match with 27 shots, and would have secured victory had it not been for wasteful finishing.
A frustrated Bielsa criticised his team for beginning too tentatively. This resulted in Darwin Nunez being ruthlessly substituted at half-time before his boss attributed the result to the opening period. "I think the fact we didn't win is linked to not being able to get the best version of ourselves," Bielsa said. "That's why we weren't able to win. We had everything to play in the first half like we did in the second half, but we only did it in half of the time."
"The game changed during the second half. More options, people were able to move, run off the ball and make situations. It's part of what happens in games. Sometimes with few chances you score goals and sometimes with many chances you can't do it."
