Luiz Felipe Scolari faces a major distraction ahead of his preparations for the 2014 World Cup after Portuguese authorities charged him with tax fraud on Wednesday. According to the AFPreport, Felipao, or ‘Big Phil’, has been charged with hiding close to seven million euros ($9.6 million) in income during his time as national team coach of Portugal between 2003 and2008.
Though he denies any wrongdoing, the inquiry threatens to distract his preparations with Brazil ahead of its opener on June 12. Big Phil, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, islooking to become only the second man to win the tournament twice after Vittorio Pozzo, who won it with Italy in 1934 and 1938.