IT’S BEEN CRIMINAL

from JEREMY CROSS

JORGE SAMPAOLI says he’s been treated like a criminal as he battles to save his job and Argentina’s World Cup hopes.

Sampaoli’s squad have been in revolt after a failed dressing-room coup against him in the wake of last week’s 3-0 defeat to Croatia.

Reports claim the players demanded Sampaoli’s head and wanted general manager and 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga to replace him before tonight’s make-or-break clash with Nigeria.

Argentina are bottom of Group D with just a point and must win to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stage.

But Sampaoli came out fighting yesterday and said: “It’s been a very difficult week after that defeat. We are in the last match with everything at stake.

“I can’t really clarify things that are untrue and things that don’t exist.

“I took responsibility for the defeat and I am totally confident we are going to win and secure the victory. I can only focus on the game and getting the result.

“The virtual world doesn’t affect me at all. I don’t pay attention to it, but I am aware that people around me are part of it.

“Sometimes I do have to enter into that virtual world to deal with facts and realities that can’t be changed, such as Argentina not winning against Croatia.

“Sometimes people make you feel like a criminal in the virtual world because you lost a game or changed a player.

“If I thought I would be living in the virtual world, I would have thrown in the towel as a coach.

“Argentina has to play with its heart and this is what I am trying to convey. We are determined to win this game and reach the last 16.”