Neymar's 4-match ban very lenient, says CONMEBOL's disciplinary committee member
Brazil’s captain Neymar is lucky to only be banned for 4 matches, says a member of CONMEBOL’s disciplinary committee. The Barcelona man received his suspension after he abused the referee in the tunnel, who had awarded him a red card for his headbutt on Colombia’s Jeison Murillo.
The whole situation ensued because he had kicked the ball at Colombia’s Pablo Armero, at the full-time whistle, after which Murillo came forward to try and calm the Brazilian down, who instead proceeded to headbutt him. He had already been banned for 1 match thanks to his two bookings in the competition prior to the whole sending-off incident.
Brazil have appealed the verdict, saying they are only asking for what is fair. In response to that, Alberto Lozada, a member of the disciplinary committee, has said that the punishment was strict due to the Brazilian instigating an altercation in the tunnel with referee Enrique Osses.
Lozada told AP, "The referee's report says that Mr. Neymar was waiting for him to insult him. Neymar grabbed him by the arms, and told him: 'You want to get famous through me, you son of a [expletive]?'"
The quotes which were reported by Marca, include, "Based on what the report says, it was premeditated, waiting for the referee in the tunnel and insulting him. His punishment could have been harsher. He got off lightly."
According to CONMEBOL’s disciplinary regulations,
a) Suspension for at least two matches or for a period of time determined for unsporting conduct towards a match official taking into consideration the seriousness of the offence.
b) Suspension for at least ten (10) games or for a period of time of at least four (4) months for assaulting or spitting at any match official.
Considering that there was no serious physical confrontation, there isn’t any fear of a longer suspension. However, the Brazilian confederation apparently appealed saying Neymar didn’t intend to hit Pablo Armero with the ball, but just was venting his frustration. Lozada also said that they claimed that Neymar didn’t hit anyone when he tried to headbutt and that his confrontation with the referee was emotional and not abusive.