Tigre president Sergio Massa has described last night’s abandoned Copa Sudamericana final against Sao Paulo as one of the most shameful days in Brazilian football history and urged the Argentinian Football Federation to take strong action after claims his players were the victims of violence.

Ronaldinho will be given free rein when Brazil defend their title in this summer’s World Cup, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira claimed on Monday.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has been rewarded for a good season at club level with an expected place in Brazil’s 23-man squad for the defence of the World Cup.

Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has resisted popular pressure and excluded Romario from his World Cup squad.