With the 2015 Copa America just around the corner, Brazil national team director Gilmar Rinaldi gave a news conference in Teresopolis on Monday (1st June).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Amid the worst crisis in its history, the Brazilian FA (Football Association) (CBF) on Monday welcomed journalists to follow the national team's pre-Copa America training camp at Teresopolis, 120 kilometres outside Rio de Janeiro.

Gilmar Rinaldi talked with media about Brazil's preparations for the competition.

But the team director also had to address the recent investigations into FIFA that are having a ripple effect across soccer-crazy South America.

Former Brazil FA President Jose Maria Marin Marin is one of 14 senior sports officials and marketing executives charged after an investigation by the United States' Department of Justice.

The 83 year-old was arrested in Zurich.

Current president Marco Polo Del Nero, who was one of Marin's vice presidents, said he was "sad" to see his "friend" arrested but denied knowing anything about the accusations involving his former colleague.

Del Nero also denied any wrongdoing in his administration, which began in April, and dismissed any possibility of resigning during this "difficult moment".

Rinaldi revealed that his team do not feel "obligated" to win upcoming tournament in Chile.

He said that the main focus for the "Selecao" is the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the next World Cup in Russia.

Rinaldi wanted to make clear that his staff have full independence to choose which players should be in the national team.

The 56 year-old also made comments about Neymar's play that infuriated Athletic Bilbao players at the weekend when Barcelona were already winning the Copa del Rey (King's Cup, Spanish).

Brazil will start their Copa America campaign on 14th June against Peru in Temuco.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Last month, the CBF responded to a report in the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that gave details of a contract with a Cayman Islands-based marketing company.

The contract stipulated a 50 per cent financial penalty unless top players like Barcelona striker Neymar are on the field - or others of the same "marketing value".

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

1. 00:00 Wide of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, former FIFA Vice President Eugenio Figueredo and CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout at CONMEBOL Congress

2. 00:05 Mid of Figueredo, Blatter and Napout at photo opportunity

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

3. 00:09 Zoom out from Brazil FA logo to Team Director Gilmar Rinaldi at news conference

4. 00:19 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Brazil FA crisis with the arrest of former president Jose Maria Marin).

"We are very calm because they are giving us calmness. We had a meeting with Marco Polo Del Nero (Brazil FA President) and the board of directors and football is completely separated from this issue. We are looking to do our best with all the conditions given. About the other issues, it's not up to me to judge. To nobody. The competent bodies - Brazilian Federal Police, the FBI - and others - will take care of this. What we have to do is focus very hard on our job and do our best, which is our obligation."

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

5. 00:54 Mid of CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout being greeted by Brazil FA President Marco Polo Del Nero

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

6. 00:59 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On independence to choose players for the national squad).

"Here at CBF, we have 100 per cent independence to do our job, to choose the players that we want for the national squad. Never has anyone suggested any name (to select). I was curious and called (former Brazil Head Coach Luiz Felipe) Scolari last week and asked if this happened with him. He made himself very clear that it never happened with him. I know that Mano (Menezes, former Brazil Head Coach) said the same at an interview. I wanted to make this very clear. Also, because who knows Dunga like you do - a little bit grumpy, with his own way to be - can you imagine someone suggesting or vetoing any name?"

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

7. 01:37 Wide of FIFA officials, including former CBF President Jose Maria Marin (second row, third from left to right)

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

8. 01:42 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Brazil FA administration. Backing up comments made by former team director Carlos Alberto Parreira).

"I think that the CBF is one of the things that works in Brazil. And there are several other things that work here. I lived in Japan for three years and I was very bothered when a Brazilian there said, 'Oh, our country has this, that...' only problems. We have several things that work here."

9. 02:00 Wide of news conference

10. 02:05 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On expectation to win the Copa America).

"I don't think we have an obligation to win the trophy but we have an obligation to work hard to win the trophy. A player for the Brazilian national team must know that he comes with a kit. Pressure is included. If someone is in the national team, it is because he's prepared to deal with pressure and change it into a positive energy if necessary. What we are looking to tell the group of players is that pressure will come but we must know how to control it."

11. 02:38 Mid of journalists

12. 02:43 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Neymar's play against Athletic Bilbao).

"About Neymar and his play (against Athletic Bilbao), we all know what he did, what he can do and what he can create. It's his natural talent. We will chat. Anytime he does anything to benefit the national team, it won't be a problem. His skills, like the ones from (Lionel) Messi, (Diego) Maradona on his day, Pele, can't be explained. They do fantastic things."

13. 03:18 Wide of Rinaldi leaving news conference

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:27