Neymar suspended for four games, will miss rest of Copa America 2015
Brazil striker Neymar will not play a part in the rest of Brazil’s Copa America campaign after his one-match ban was extended to four games. The 23-year-old Barcelona star initially suspended for one game after getting a second yellow card in two matches before he was sent off after the final whistle following an altercation with Colombian players.
Neymar was all set to miss the final group game against Venezuela, but the new punishment means he will now miss the rest of the tournament. Teams qualifying from the group stages of the Copa America directly go to the quarter-finals.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) reviewed the punishment and had stated that they would declare the final punishment on Friday. The punishment was increased for his rash act of kicking a ball at Colombian defender Pablo Armero at full time.
As Colombian players swarmed around him in protest, Neymar appeared to head-butt one of them before Carlos Bacca retaliated with a push to his back. Both players had received red cards for their involvement.
Bacca, too, has been banned for two games which means he could be back for the semi-final if Colombia make it that far. Both Bacca and Neymar still have the choice to appeal the punishment.
If unsuccessful, this would be the second time Brazil will miss Neymar’s services in a major international tournament in less than a year after he was out injured following a knee in the back from Colombia’s Juan Zuniga.