The row over Robinho that has set Manchester City and Brazil at loggerheads showed no signs of abating last night, as Dunga ordered the Barclays Premier League club to show some respect for his national team’s place in world football.

The Brazil coach was far from impressed by City’s insistence that Robinho should rejoin his club at a training camp in Abu Dhabi after being checked by the national team doctors this week. He has insisted that the player remain with the Brazil squad until next week.

“The history of the Brazil national team, the five-times world champions, needs to be respected,” Dunga said. “The thought of sending him here and taking him away was not going to happen. There is a hierarchy that needs to be respected.”

In addition, he implied that Robinho would receive better treatment from the Brazil doctors than from those at City. “Our medics are world-famous,” Dunga said. “We will send him back in a position where he can play.”

Mark Hughes, the City manager, had said only the other day that Robinho would be out for another two weeks with an ankle injury. Although the player has been ruled out of today’s game against England in Doha, Qatar, to City’s relief, Brazil say that they may pick him in the friendly against Oman on Tuesday if he is fit.

Robinho took a full part in training yesterday, scoring a goal and wheeling away in delight. While club and country rage, he seemed unfazed by the fuss as he laughed through a press conference, his diamond earrings sparkling.

He seemed to smile particularly widely when Kaká, sitting next to him, was asked if he had any regrets about not joining City when he had the chance in January. “No, I’m perfectly happy at Real Madrid,” Kaká said.

Robinho, too, was asked about his future, given his apparent agitation for a move to Barcelona. An agent claiming to represent the player has been quoted saying that he did not want to stay at City but Robinho side-stepped the row. “My father is the only one who represents me and he has never given an interview,” he said.

Hughes has made it plain that he does not want to sell Robinho in January, which is understandable with the club having a chance of claiming a place in the Champions League this season.

The match against Liverpool next weekend could be very significant, which is one of the reasons why Hughes has been so agitated about Robinho’s fitness — as well as the recollection that City’s record £34.2 million signing got injured on international duty in early September.

“I don’t want to be in the middle of a row between City and Brazil,” Robinho said. “My obligation is to be here with Brazil and that is supported by Fifa.”