SAO PAULO - Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is worried the street protests that are planned during the World Cup could hurt his teams chances of winning the title. Camilo Vargas Colombia Jersey . Scolari says that although Brazilians have the right to complain about the government and demand improvements, perhaps the protests wont be coming at the "right time." He said the protests "could, big-time" affect his players performance during the World Cup, although he will not prohibit them from talking about the subject during the tournament. In an interview with Globo TV late Sunday, Scolari also said Brazil should have done a better job in its preparations for the World Cup, and said he has already made up his mind on 21 of the 23 players of his squad. Violent anti-government protests erupted across Brazil last year as people took to the streets calling for better services and questioning the billions being spent on hosting the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics. The protests have since diminished in size, but they are widely expected again in the run-up to this years football tournament. "I think the protests can happen," Scolari said. "If they are peaceful, then thats democracy. Everyone has the right to protest. But I dont know if its the right time." The coach had already tried to distance the national team from the protests during last years Confederations Cup, when the largest public demonstrations in a generation broke out at the start of the warm-up tournament. Protests happened in all six host cities at the time, although matches and teams were not directly affected as Brazil went on to win the title. The players openly talked about the protests last year and the coach said they will be allowed to do it again during the World Cup. "They are national team players and they are on a mission," he said. "They can express themselves and say look, I also want a better Brazil, but I dont want it to be something that causes problems to our environment." Scolari also criticized Brazils preparations for the World Cup, saying that the country wasted time and should have done more to get things ready more quickly. "We could have done a better job to take advantage of these seven years that we had to prepare everything that was going to be needed, from airports to roads to education," he said. "But we lost time and we now we are out of time." Scolari last week confirmed nine players who will make Brazils squad — David Luiz, Oscar, Ramires, Willian, Paulinho, Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva, Fred and Neymar — and on Sunday he said there are only two spots remaining in the team. "We are still making observations, there are a lot of things we are still looking at," he said. Scolari will announce the official 23-man squad on May 7. Seven possible alternates will be announced later. Brazil will play friendlies against Panama and Serbia just before the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 12. Juan Fernando Quintero Jersey . He missed a three-game series against New York this week after suffering the injury last Sunday while trying to leg out a base hit during a game in Cincinnati. Faryd Mondragon Jersey . - Hall of Fame centre Bill Russell was arrested this week at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after Transportation Security Administration officials found a loaded gun in his luggage.BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden thumb is only sprained. Clevelands offence is broken. Weeden injured his thumb in the fourth quarter of Sundays 14-6 loss at Baltimore and may not play this week when the Browns play at Minnesota. Coach Rob Chudzinski said the team will wait and see how Weedens injury responds over the next few days, but he seemed to be leaning toward having to play either backup Jason Campbell or third-stringer Brian Hoyer. Campbell filled in for one series -- he went 1 of 4 for six yards -- after Weeden went down against the Ravens, but Chudzinski said he will consider starting Hoyer against the Vikings. "Im going to keep all of our options open," said Chudzinski. "We have two options -- Jason and Brian. Im confident in all of our guys." Campbell, who has made 71 career starts for Washington, Oakland and Chicago, said hes comfortable with whatever his role might be. "Were all on the same team. Whatever the situation is you have to be a pro and thats how I approach it," he said. "Ill just continue to keep pushing forward and striving to help guys around me to become better, and at the same time just worry about trying to do my job." Weeden was not available in the locker room during the period it was open to reporters on Monday. The second-year QB hurt his thumb when he banged it on a helmet after throwing a pass. Following the game, Weeden underwent X-rays and said he had trouble gripping the ball. Adrian Ramos Jersey. He left the stadium with a large brace on his hand. Weeden has been sacked 11 times in Clevelands first two games as the Browns offensive line has had protection issues. Cleveland has scored just one touchdown in losses to Miami and Baltimore. Chudzinski believes Clevelands offensive problems are fixable, and the Browns should get a huge lift this week with the return of top wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was suspended for the first two games after failing the NFLs drug policy. Gordon was punished for a positive codeine test he said was in his cough syrup prescription. He confirmed that if he fails another test, he will be facing a one-year banishment. "I feel like its a last chance opportunity for the league," said Gordon, who caught 50 passes for 805 yards and five scores as a rookie. "Nobody wants a problematic type of person in their program or organization because of how its perceived to be. I definitely want to stay away from any controversy as long as I can forever. "Thats definitely my No. 1 priority." Gordon said the suspension, along with a recent speeding ticket, have helped him understand that hes risking too much to get in trouble. "Its a humbling experience," he said. "You find an appreciation for the game. The absence of it makes the heart grow fonder in a sense. Thats really what its about for me right now." cheap nfl jerseyscheap soccer jerseys ' ' '
