Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday refuted criticism by the opposition over his handpicked successor.
Lula is being accused of utilizing his tour around the country to promote his protege, Dilma Rousseff, by launching government projects with her.
Electoral laws of the country prohibits such connections, claimed the opposition.
Lula argues that Rousseff, as the minister in charge of most of the government’s Growth Acceleration Program projects, should be with him in inaugurations of these projects.
Rousseff is campaigning for this year’s presidential election.
In an interview with a Minas Gerais state radio, Lula said the opposition is trying to stop him with fouls, in reference to a soccer match.
“When an opposition party does not have anything to propose and has no argument, it is hard for them. So they try to stop the other team from playing with fouls.”