Capello: Football not for sissies

Fabio Capello has controversially remarked that “football’s not for sissies” in response to claims that Atletico Madrid are a violent team.

Los Colchoneros have been perceived by some media quarters to adopt an uber-physical style of play, but the former Real Madrid Coach, now in charge of Russia, believes their aggression has been wrongly misconstrued for dirtiness.

“Atleti aren’t a violent team. Football’s not for sissies,” he told Onda Cero.

“They’re are a team who play with extra courage, unlike [Real] Madrid and Barca.

“They have a very big desire to suffer, win and play as a team.

“There’s no such thing as a violent team, who will cut your legs [into two] when you walk onto the pitch.

“They play physical football. It’s been around for a lifetime.”

Although literally translating into ‘ladybird’ and considered the Spanish equivalent of ‘sissy’, the term ‘mariquitas’ can also be interpreted as a homophobic slur.

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