Brazilian players protest against federation

SAO PAULO (AP) Brazilian players launched another wave of protest against the national federation over the weekend, sitting on the field and crossing their arms before league matches to demand changes to the country's packed football calendar.

The 22 players in matches Saturday and Sunday went to the ground for about 30 seconds before kickoff to attract more attention to the movement "Common Sense FC," which is seeking a more organized calendar to benefit players, teams and fans. In one of the matches, players just put a knee down instead of sitting, and in another fans joined in the protest with chants against the federation.

Two weeks ago players crossed their arms for several moments after the initial whistle, and in a previous round they all huddled at midfield before kickoff. Players in one of the matches two weeks ago just kicked the ball back and forth from one team to the other after the referee threatened to give yellow cards to all players on the field.

The movement's leaders, which include some of the country's top players, say they won't stop protesting until they see that the federation is committed to making changes in the coming years.

They argue that a season with teams playing fewer matches will lead to improved quality on the field and increased attendance. The players' demands include adequate vacation time, longer preseasons and giving players more influence in major decisions. They also want punishment for clubs that don't pay salaries on time and complain of the influence of television rights holders.

The Brazilian federation, or CBF, said on its website Sunday that it is working on actions that will attend to the players' demands. Both parts agree that calendar changes will be difficult for next year because of the World Cup, but players have already said that solutions for the 2015 season must be discussed now.

On the field, defending champion Fluminense lost 1-0 to Santos and is only one point out of the relegation zone with two rounds left. On Saturday, four-time champion Vasco da Gama kept alive its chances of escaping demotion by earning a 2-1 win over Cruzeiro, which has already clinched the title.

The game attracted attention after Cruzeiro midfielder Julio Baptista, a former Brazil player, was caught by TV cameras apparently telling a Vasco player to keep scoring. Baptista said he was being ironic and didn't mean Cruzeiro would make it easier for Vasco.

In other results Sunday, second-place Atletico Paranaense routed already-relegated Nautico 6-1 in Joinville, Flamengo beat club world champion Corinthians 1-1 in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo drew Botafogo 1-1 in Sao Paulo.

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