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FORTALEZA, Brazil - Football great Pele insists he supports the Brazilian popular protests sweeping the country, as long as theyre peaceful. Ben Powers Youth Jersey . Pele was criticized online for telling Brazilians to forget about the nationwide demonstrations and focus on cheering on the national team, but he said he was never against the movement. He said in a television interview that the country should only "think about the national team," prompting Brazilians to flood social media sites to mock his comments. Pele had expressed support for the protests in the same interview, but only the part in which he told Brazilians to "forget about this mess that is happening in Brazil" went viral. Brazil has been swept by massive demonstrations that have sent hundreds of thousands of people into the streets denouncing poor public services, government corruption and even the billions spent in the country to host the Confederations Cup, the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Former Brazil star Ronaldo was also criticized recently after a 2011 video in which he said that "you cant host a World Cup by building hospitals" resurfaced on social media websites after the protests began. A member of the local World Cup organizing committee, Ronaldo has also had to defend himself. "It was a different context," he said. "Its not fair to use that as if it was said this week." Peles comments were made just before Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in its second match at the Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up tournament among continental champions. "Lets forget about this mess that is happening in Brazil and lets think about the national team, which is our country, our blood," Pele told Globo TV. "Lets not jeer the Selecao, lets support it until the end." His other comments in the same interview didnt make it to social media protests. "There are a lot of bad characters taking advantage of this opportunity and they are hurting these peaceful protests which have been calling for what is best for the Brazilian people," he said. "I think we cant allow these bandits and bad characters to get in the way of this opportunity to make demands for our country." A World Cup ambassador, Pele was forced to release a statement saying that he was only against the jeering of the national team and violent protests. Brazilian fans had been loudly criticizing Brazil and jeering the squad after disappointing results in recent matches. There were clashes between police and protesters before some Confederations Cup matches, but inside the stadiums Brazil has received the full support of the local fans. Players said they were moved when the crowd kept singing the national anthem even after the music was cut short before the match on Wednesday at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, saying that it made them more motivated. "It was moving to see the attitude of the fans," Brazil assistant coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "Very few times weve seen that. They supported us from the start. It was impressive to see how the players were moved by what happened during the national anthem." ___ Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni Marquise Brown Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Lamar Jackson Ravens Jersey .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. http:///...-hill-ravens-jersey/ . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Anthony Alleyne top-scored twice for Barbados as his 88 and 186 helped them to a 292-run victory against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain.Chasing 392 to win, T&T were bundled out for 99 with Kyle Hope top-scoring with 26. In the second innings, it was Kevin Stoute and Kemar Roach who did most of the damage - sharing six wickets between them.Alleynes 186 in the second innings was his maiden first-class century and helped Barbados to a position from where they could not lose. His partnership of 216 runs with Shamarh Brooks (76) for the second wicket took Barbados to 317 before the declaration came in the 72nd over.Montcin Hodges third first-class century helped Leeward Islands chase 369 against Guyanas in St Kitts to win by four wickets on the final day.Guyana had earned a 135-run first-innings lead after Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 81* to lift their score to 293. Hayden Walshs four-for then helped Guyana then bowled out Leeward Island for 158.Hayden Walsh took 4 for 56 as Guyana declared their second innings after lunch on day 3 on 233 for 8.Leeward Islands chase started off well. Opener Kiieran Powell - who top-scored with 79 in their first innings - stitched a 93-run partnership for the first wicket with Hodge before being dismissed early on the final day. Lamar Jackson Youth Jersey. Hodge then combined with Nkrumah Bonner (82) to add 155 runs for the fourth wicket to take the home side closer to victory. Both were dismissed in quick succession but by that time, Leeward Islands were 60 runs away from victory and Jahmar Hamilton (49*) saw them through to the win.Nikita Millers five-for helped Jamaica bowl out Windward Islands for 64 in their chase of 106 in a low-scoring contest in Kingston.Shane Shillingfords five-for in the first innings, followed by Larry Edwards 6 for 20 in their second put Windward Islands in a strong position as they bowled the hosts out for for 151 and 159. John Campbell top-scored with a crucial 67 in their second innings.Jamaica needed just 27 overs to dismantle Windward Islands for 64. Damion Jacobs chipped in with 3 for 17 in eight overs. ' ' '