"But I don't see anything wrong if a player lights up a cigarette with a morning coffee."

And if FIFA were seeking medical advice on how to cut it out, they should not consult Brazilian football legend Socrates, an alumni of the College of Surgeons in Dublin of all places but better known for his appearances at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

For a midfielder he must have had lungs of iron as he was as bad a chain-smoker as Menotti, but at least the latter only had to stroll around the touchline while Socrates rambled up and down the pitch.

"Did smoking affect my playing ability? I don't think so," said Socrates.

"I certainly don't imagine that people use that as an excuse for us not winning the World Cup in 1982 and 1986. Perhaps conceding silly goals to Italy in 1982 and the lottery of a penalty shootout to France in 1986 had more to do with it," he said.

Ultimately Lavolpe has little choice in the matter and may follow the example of another former chain-smoking coach Johan Cruyff by sucking on lollipops, though the great Dutchman gave up solely on medical grounds after a heart operation.