Jose Riveiro defends against Kwanele Kopo's 'abusive' allegations

Kopo fumed over alleged "insults" hurled at him by Riveiro during Pirates' 3-1 Nedbank Cup semi-final victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Asked by SABC Sport for his response, the Bucs coach did admit there was “tension” between the two dugouts, but not to the extent Kopo claimed, while insisting the only thing he is guilty of was to shield his players. 

"I don't have opinions about other colleagues' opinions, it doesn't make any sense. Who am I to [argue]? If he feels that we used – how do you call it? Abusive? No," said Riveiro.

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"There were moments of tension between the benches because I was not happy, or comfortable with the situation inside the field – with some behaviours and things happening during the game, that was not related with football at all.

"My role is to try to protect and defend my players. I am a quiet, and extremely peaceful person, but there are moments where you have to stand up and pose some questions about what's going on, that's all.

"Then he can give you a description, and I'm ready to hear the words that he says are abusive, or [whether it's] not abusive because, I think nothing happened out of the lineage of competition, let's say.

"The swearing came from every angle, not only from our bench. Maybe things are not going the way you want it, or the way you were dreaming when you went to sleep yesterday, and suddenly you find the reality is different, and it's difficult to control yourself."