Soccer: Hostile reception for the Socceroos

MONTEVIDEO - The Socceroos have demanded better security after being spat on, jostled and abused in a hostile start to their World Cup mission to Uruguay.

Coach Frank Farina, captain Paul Okon, midfielder Steve Corica and team leader Greg Woods were all spat on by a volatile crowd of up to 50 who were waiting at Montevideo Airport.

All players were manhandled, one was punched and another kicked, as they ran the gauntlet from the airport to their team bus. Kevin Muscat, who scored the penalty that beat Uruguay in the first leg in Melbourne on Tuesday, was also among players targeted with verbal abuse.

The predominantly male crowd, but including some women and girls as young as eight, also made offensive gestures at the Australians, including one-fingered salutes and cutting motions with their fingers across their necks.

After wiping spit from his face, Farina slammed the reception for his team as uncivilised.

"I think there was a lack of security on behalf of the Uruguayan federation. You can't have that happening, it's not civilised. We must have better security."

The players were briefed not to react to the provocation, but were said to be "extremely concerned" for their safety.

The psychological war against the Socceroos seemed to start as soon as they touched down, with customs men making thorough searches of every second player's luggage and taking objection to minuscule specks of dirt on their boots.

"The boots were clean," one member of the party said.

The Australians had a police escort to their hotel, but even during that trip motorists made offensive gestures to them. Australian officials quickly consulted with Montevideo's chief of police, and drafted an official letter of complaint to the Uruguayan federation and to world ruling body Fifa.

An Australian spokesman said the Socceroos were surprised at the reception, especially considering the "respect and courtesy" the Uruguayan team received during their stay in Melbourne.

- AGENCIES