Feared president plays Brazil greats in Grozny soccer show

Veterans of the World Cup winning side of 1994 - Romario, Bebeto, Cafu and Dunga - were among the players who appeared before a packed stadium in Grozny, capital of the southern Russian republic, scene of a separatist insurgency put down by the Kremlin-backed regime.

Vladimir Putin-backed Mr Kadyrov, 34, a former rebel who has ruled with an iron hand since his father was killed by a separatist bomb at the stadium in May 2004, fired up the crowd by shouting Allahu Akbar, "God is Great".

He insisted the Brazilians had come as a goodwill gesture after he and "some of his friends" helped Brazil cope after recent flooding.

His team included former players from the national teams of the Soviet Union and Russia, and former German midfielder Lothar Matthaeus, who played in five World Cups and now coaches Bulgaria. Mr Kadyrov said he planned to play the entire game after losing almost a stone in weight in preparation.

Before yesterday's game began, Kadyrov told reporters he had invited the Brazil legends to Chechnya because he "wanted to show football to our guys".

In addition to organising yesterday's match before a 10,000 strong crowd, Mr Kadyrov has just brought in ex-Dutch star Ruud Gullit to coach local club, Terek Grozny. The Brazilian players wore Terek's red, green and white scarves as they emerged from Grozny's airport earlier to the cheers of flag-waving fans.

Sports can promote social cohesion, but whether it will do so in Chechnya is doubtful.

Apart from leading the football team, Mr Kadyrov heads a feared security force, whose abuses feed an insurgency that Russia seems incapable of quelling. The security forces have been accused of arresting, torturing and killing suspected rebels.

"We have destroyed many odious gang leaders, and we will also get Umarov soon," he said, referring to Chechen warlord Doku Umarov, who has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing of Moscow's Domedovo airport in January.

Human rights activists say the atmosphere of fear and intimidation extends to the imposition of Islamic rules, including requiring all female government employees, students and even schoolgirls to wear headscarves.

Mr Kadyrov yesterday shrugged off the criticism, on International Women's Day. He said Chechen women wore headscarves because they were Muslim and observed local tradition, but said he admired women who chose to do so.

"No hair style, no colour could make such beauty," he said.

He also denied exerting any pressure on those reluctant to adhere to Islamic dress."You have seen women in short skirts without headscarves in Grozny," he grinned. "If I try to force them (to dress differently] I will be removed tomorrow."

Mr Kadyrov has also defied Russian law by encouraging Chechen men to have more than one wife. He said he has just one wife but could take another.

"If I see another woman prettier than her, why would I go somewhere and sin if Islam allows me to marry her?" he said.