Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss stopped short of apologising to journalists today after using abusive words and making threats to the media at a briefing on Tuesday, claiming some reporters brought "unhappiness" to the game.
The Slovakians are preparing for their final match in World Cup Group F tomorrow, where they need a win over world champions Italy at Ellis Park to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase.
Weiss did not take kindly to a question asked at a team camp briefing on Tuesday, muttering an obscenity at the gathered media and allegedly threatening to punch one journalist, and did not seem too repentant about it today.
"I would like to come back to my relationship with Slovakian journalists after that unfortunate situation yesterday," he said.
"I am really sorry what happened between us and I am sorry for the relationship we are having at the moment but I can't apologise. I am in football for people who like us, who love football and who respect this game.
"I am working in this area because I want football to bring us luck, but some of you work in your area because you want to bring unhappiness to people - at least that is my feeling from your articles."
The question that riled Weiss today concerned remarks from an Italian minister, Umberto Bossi, that Slovakia would lose the game in return for a number of their players being rewarded with contracts at clubs in Serie A.
Bossi has since withdrawn his remarks and apologised, and Weiss said: "Regarding your question, it is not very intelligent. Maybe FIFA should say something in this respect and not me.
"I see it as a small provocation or a small joke, I don't know this Italian minister. I take it as a joke. I don't take it seriously."
Weiss' side will take tomorrow's game seriously, even though they are World Cup debutants and are up against a team who have won the competition on four occasions.
"Every match is a joy because it's a possibility to make us visible at the World Cup," he said.
"We said before the tournament that we were not going just for a trip and we still have a hope to get through the group stage and we will do everything for it.
"But we are playing against the holders of the title, so it will be a difficult match. We want to be bold but rational because our opponents are the reigning champions."
Weiss said he had no injury problems but promised to make changes from the 2-0 defeat to Paraguay in their last game.
One player set to feature is playmaker Marek Hamsik, regarded as Slovakia's star man but who has made little impact so far.
The coach believes now is the time for the Napoli player to show his Serie A form.
"Hamsik has never let me down - that is why he is the captain of the Slovakia squad and he is the best Slovak footballer at the moment," Weiss said.
"He can have a weaker performance and in the first two matches he didn't match his expectations and my expectations of him.
"He is hoping that tomorrow he can shine, just like you know he shines in the Italian league."