23 December 2023 , 22:30
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Angry Felipe Melo has doubled down on his claim that Jack Grealish taunted Fluminense's players during Manchester City's Club World Cup final victory.
Grealish took to his social media account to deny he shouted 'Ole' as City cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Brazilians in Jeddah. The England midfielder was confronted by veteran Brazilian hardman Melo - and City skipper Kyle Walker came to his rescue.
Melo, 40, insists he was in the right. He said: "I've already seen on social media idiots saying that I started a mess. I know how to lose. When you lose, it's time to keep quiet. I was very upset because I dreamed a lot about this competition, but I'm very proud.
"Fluminense is the second-biggest team in the world and first in South America. We lost, but we got here. We won the Libertadores. Until next season, we will continue to be the Libertadores champion.
"No one, even Manchester City players will not lack respect for us. I don't lack respect for anyone. So I expect to be respected. And he (Grealish) did not respect. He is someone who lost my respect."
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Melo alleged that Grealish "went after" Matheus Martinelli after the Club World Cup final, prompting him to come to his teammate's rescue - with Walker doing the same on behalf of his City compatriot.
Melo said: "When the game ended, Grealish went after Martinelli. He chose a little guy. He has no balls to face a big one. Grealish was passing close to Martinelli and I saw them talking, forehead to forehead, so I went after him. I pushed him. Walker pushed me, too. I went to defend a teammate."
Kyle Walker was involved in the bust-up (Getty Images)He added: "I defended my institution. I will do this forever. No one will disrespect my institution or its athletes. No one will come and humiliate my friends or my club. I didn't want a mess. Grealish was disrespectful towards the Fluminense institution and I will never let that happen.
"He was shouting 'Ole' at the end of the game. This is something that the fans can do, not a player - an athlete on the field cannot be disrespectful.
"I went to defend Martinelli, who was being cornered by this athlete. And I would do it again. I am a warrior. Nobody can ever crow with a rooster." Grealish later dismissed the claim on Twitter/X, saying: "Not once did I say 'Ole'".