Richarlison has been forced to deny claims he will refuse to play at this year’s World Cup because of the conflict in the Middle East after a ‘fake’ post emerged on social media.
An account on X posted a screenshot of the Tottenham star which had been edited to include a quote allegedly from the Brazilian. It read: ‘I won’t play the World Cup until the fight is over.’
The picture fuelled rumours the 28-year-old would boycott the tournament in North America in response to the attacks on Iran from the US and Israel.
But the Spurs forward quickly hit back and derided the suggestion as ‘fake news’.
‘Just to be clear, because the fake news has gone too far: I never made that statement,’ he said.
‘Although I am against any kind of war and conflict, I never said I wouldn’t play for the Brazilian national team at the World Cup. I hope everyone who shared this lie takes it back and deletes their posts.’
The conflict in the Middle East has entered its fourth day after the attacks launched by the US and Israel on Saturday, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A host of nations in the Gulf region have since been targeted in retaliatory attacks from Tehran, including Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The Brazilian government is among those to have condemned the US and Israel. ‘The attacks occurred amid an ongoing negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace – a position traditionally upheld by Brazil in the region,’ it said in a statement.
The conflict has sparked fears over the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, which kicks off in 100 days, with Iran considering withdrawing from the tournament.
Mehdi Taj, who leads Iran’s football federation, told Iranian media this week that the country’s participation in the tournament is in doubt.
‘What we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope,’ said Taj.
The Islamic Republic’s national team have been drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, but the prospect of their participation is growing increasingly uncertain.
Should Iran play in the tournament, their matches against New Zealand and Belgium will be held in Los Angeles, while their clash against Egypt is set to be hosted in Seattle.
US President Donald Trump told the Daily Mail that he expects the conflict to last ‘four weeks or less’ in an exclusive interview on Sunday, giving the nation just over two months to prepare.
