'This can't be used as an excuse,' Renato Portaluppi told reporters. 'I told the players that in 1995, I won a championship when I hadn't been paid for five months. We realised that the club would only receive more money if we won.'

He promised: 'If the players win the important games, I will go to the directors and make a stand.'

Renato was in the Fluminense team which beat Flamengo 3-2 in the 1995 Carioca championship final, scoring the winning the goal when he deflected a shot into the net off his stomach with only minutes to play.

His famous 'belly goal' has gone down as one of the most famous in Brazilian football history.

Fluminense, one of several traditional teams who are struggling in the Brazilian championship, dropped to 20th in the standings after Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat by defending champions Atletico Paranaense.

The 'Tricolor' team have only 14 points from 12 games and Renato is already in danger of losing his job after only five games in charge.

They are at home to Guarani on Saturday. Renato was jeered by angry supporters during Wednesday's match and on Thursday arrived at the club for training to find several banners of protest. One read: 'Renato, you're not a magician. And even less so a coach.'

Veteran striker Romario has scored only one goal in his last eight games and his frustration boiled over 10 days ago against Sao Paulo, when he slapped team mate Andrei in the face during a 6-0 defeat.

He was suspended for one match by a disciplinary commission and fined 40 percent of his salary by the club.

BAD FEELING

Brazilian media say that Romario and midfielder Beto are the only players who are paid on time because their wages are paid directly by team sponsors. This has led to speculation that there is bad feeling among the rest of the squad.

The situation is equally tense at Fluminense's Rio de Janeiro rivals Vasco da Gama, where a graffiti protest added to the pressure.

Officials said that vandals sprayed insults and threats against several players and club president Eurico Miranda on the walls at the club headquarters following Wednesday's 4-0 drubbing by Cruzeiro.

Vasco are 21st and only one point clear of the relegation zone.

The graffiti was painted over and security was reinforced for training on Friday.

In an attempt to change their fortunes, Vasco have signed veteran striker Valdir, announced several changes to the team and sent on-loan full-back Wederson back to second division club Americano, claiming he was not good enough.

Valdir is expected to play against Portuguesa on Sunday.

Yugoslav midfielder Dejan Petkovic, signed one month ago, admitted he had been a letdown so far.

'I'm still leaving a lot to be desired,' he said.

SELL OFF

But critics blame president Miranda for selling off the team which won the Brazilian championships in 1997 and 2000 and the South American Libertadores Cup in 1998.

Vasco entered the fray with a group of raw youngsters and have begun adding more experienced players such as Petkovic during the championship.

'In a short space of time, there was a total dismantling of the team,' said Cesar Seabra, columnist in the sports daily Lance. 'Now the supporters are looking for someone who can save them from relegation.'