World Football

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Corinthians sacked coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani immediately after losing 3-0 at home to Cruzeiro while two other matches ended in refereeing rows in the Brazilian championship at the weekend.

Carpegiani, who coached Paraguay at the 1998 World Cup, was fired after 23 games at Corinthians as he became the 29th coaching casualty of the year among Brazil's 20 first division clubs.

"Unfortunately, I can't continue my work but I understand the position of the directors," Carpegiani told reporters after the game.

"Sometimes it's better to take a step aside so that the situation can calm down."

Alecsandro put Cruzeiro ahead in the 28th minute when he turned inside his marker and placed the ball past goalkeeper Felipe.

Jonathan added the second with a deflected shot in the 63rd minute and Alecsandro snapped up a rebound to add a third 10 minutes from the end.

CONTROVERSIAL GOALS

Cruzeiro stayed second with 38 points from 20 games while Corinthians, one of Brazil's most popular clubs, dropped to a modest 14th.

The competition's refereeing problems continued with controversial late goals in two other games.

World club champions Internacional won 1-0 at Atletico Paranaense after an 89th-minute penalty awarded for a foul on Wellington which television replays suggested happened outside the area. Alex converted.

Gremio's late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Fluminense caused an even bigger storm as Marcel appeared to knock the ball out of goalkeeper Fernando Henrique's arms before Patricio tapped it into an empty net.

Thiago Silva had given "Flu" a first-half lead.

"You work all week, prepare for the game, encourage the fans to turn up and then this happens," said Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi.

Leaders Sao Paulo stayed six points clear of Cruzeiro by thrashing Nautico 5-0, all the goals coming in the second half when the visitors were down to 10 men after Acosta was sent off.

Dagoberto opened the scoring, goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni converted a penalty, striker Hugo added two more and Aloisio completed the rout for the defending champions.