Frustrated Nigerians Attack Coach

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- There was more than disappointment for the Nigerians over their elimination by Italy at the World Cup. There was dissension. Just after the Super Eagles lost 2-1 in extra time to Italy, growing bad feelings between players and Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof exploded. Defender Emeka Ezeugo charged at Westerhof in the locker room. "You are a fool, you made us lose this match," he yelled at Westerhof. "The man is a liar, a bad man," Ezeugo said. "Because some people had some misunderstanding with him, he made sure we all lost the match." Westerhof did not return with the team on the bus after the loss to Italy, and did not return to the team's hotel. Midfielder Samson Siasia mentioned that Westerhof is not returning to Nigeria. "Where is he running to?" Siasia asked. "I would believe he would come back to Nigeria to get some of his things. I pray he is lucky, because if he is not and the people get him, they will deal with him in the way he would never be able to describe." nDutch preparations for its World Cup quarterfinals against Brazil were thrown into disarray Wednesday when a journalist flying with the team told a flight attendant in jest that he had a bomb aboard. After an extensive search of the plane, the team arrived in Dallas from Orlando, Florida, five hours late -- without the sports writer -- and had to practice at dusk at the Southern Methodist University practice ground instead of during the afternoon. Authorities took Lex Muller, 54, of the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper in Rotterdam, seriously when he joked he had a bomb in a piece of carry-on luggage. He was taken into custody for questioning. Dutch federation officials said he was released late Wednesday after the Dutch embassy intervened. It is both a Florida state and U.S. federal offense to make a false bomb report, even jokingly. "They don't have a sense of humor," said Dutch press officer Gerd Stolk. "It's as if they cannot tell the difference. "It appears he was just shooting his mouth off," he said. A flight attendant asked Muller to put his carry-on bag in the overhead bin. "He didn't want to do it, and he told her it had a bomb in it," Holloway said. "She told him, 'Sir, don't even act, we take that very seriously.' And then he said it again." The flight attendant reported that Muller then said he had a gun in the bag. Holloway said Muller told police he actually said there was no gun in the bag. The flight attendant told the pilot, who notified authorities and evacuated the plane. nIn other news on Wednesday, FIFA suspended Brazil's Leonardo for four games for elbowing Tab Ramos of the United States on Monday. It was the longest suspension in recent World Cups. ?A third suspect was arrested in the slaying of Colombian player Andres Escobar. ?A 7-year-old Naples boy was shot and killed by accident during celebrations of Italy's victory over Nigeria. Salvatore Oliva was killed accidentally when his 15-year-old cousin fired his father's pistol to celebrate. ?Quote of the Day: "I can't accept soccer as a stage for violence and uncontrolled passions instead of pleasure and exercise." Pedro Chang, who resigned as general manager of the America club of Cali in Colombia because of Escobar's death. ?Suspensions: Italy's Gianfranco Zola for two games. Bulgaria's Emil Kremenliev for one. Mexico's Luis Garcia and Fernando Clavijo of the United States, for their next international games.