- Title: Mario defends Silva as Ronaldo trains with Portugal
- Date: 8th October 2019
- Summary: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL (OCTOBER 8, 2019) (REUTERS) MANCHESTER CITY FORWARD BERNARDO SILVA TALKING WITH PORTUGAL COACH FERNANDO SANTOS PLAYERS ENTERING PITCH CRISTIANO RONALDO ENTERING PITCH PLAYER WALKING ONTO PITCH ATLETICO MADRID FORWARD JOAO FELIX AND BERNARDO SILVA VARIOUS OF PLAYERS STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW MIDFIELDER, JOAO MARIO, SAYING: "No not affected, Bernardo is an excellent person. I have known him for several years since we were young players. I saw what happened and I don't think it makes much sense, to accuse someone like him, especially someone like him, of something so serious. What I can say, and I have known him for several years, is that it does not have any logic, what is happening." BERNARDO SILVA AND TEAMMATES STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW MIDFIELDER, JOAO MARIO, SAYING: "He is strong and he knows how football is these days, and the influence that social media has, but I don't think he will be affected by it, because he is very strong mentally, and he knows the truth. He knows that it was just a joke with a friend and I hope he can stay focused for the match because he is a very important player for us and he should only focus on that because the rest doesn't deserve any comments." BERNARDO SILVA DURING TRAINING SESSION RONALDO AND PEPE / PLAYER WARMING UP VARIOUS OF RONALDO STRETCHING PLAYERS STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW MIDFIELDER, JOAO MARIO, SAYING: "I think we should think step by step, match by match, we need to focus in this first match against Luxembourg because they are a tough opponent with quality and it's very important to get the three points because our goal is to finish top of the group." PLAYERS EXERCISING WITH BALL RONALDO PLAYERS EXERCISING WITH BALL JOAO FELIX RONALDO AND PEPE STRETCHING PLAYERS STRETCHING BERNARDO SILVA PLAYERS EXERCISING WITH BALL
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2019 11:56
- Keywords: Portugal Luxembourg Ronaldo Bernardo Silva
- Location: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL
- City: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001B08M3PB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Bernardo Silva's Portugal team-mate Joao Mario has backed the Manchester City star after he was charged by the English FA over a tweet about Benjamin Mendy.
Silva is under investigation after it was alleged the tweet was 'insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute'. It showed a picture of fellow Man City player Mendy as a youngster, and a black cartoon character used on the Spanish chocolate brand Conguito.
But as Portugal prepare to face Luxembourg in a European qualifying match, Mario said at a news conference on Tuesday (October 8) the tweet was just a "joke with a friend".
Silva faces a ban if found guilty by the FA. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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