Brazil's Neymar suspended for one match

June 19, 2015 | 14:16

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Brazilian star Neymar has been provisionally suspended for one match and could face a harsher final punishment, officials said on Thursday after the striker received a red card during a fracas in Brazil's Copa America loss to Colombia.

Brazil's forward Neymar (R) argues with Colombians Jeison Murillo (22) and Alexander Mejia (15) during a 2015 Copa America football championship match in Santiago, Chile. Colombia won 1-0. (AFP PHOTO/NELSON ALMEIDA)

SANTIAGO: Brazilian star Neymar has been provisionally suspended for one match and could face a harsher final punishment, officials said on Thursday (Jun 18) after the striker received a red card during a fracas in Brazil's Copa America loss to Colombia.

South American federation CONMEBOL's disciplinary committee "provisionally suspended Neymar for one game after his behavior in the aftermath of Brazil's 1-0 defeat to Colombia, and will meet on Friday to decide the final punishment," said a statement on the Copa America website.

Colombia upset the five-time world champions in a combative game on Wednesday that ended in a tumultuous melee, as Neymar appeared to aim a headbutt at Colombian goalscorer Jeison Murillo.

Colombian striker Carlos Bacca also received a red card for pushing Neymar from behind. Neymar had previously received a second yellow card for a handball, meaning at least a one-game suspension was inevitable.

The Copa America website initially reported a two-game suspension, but later clarified that the Barcelona star was suspended for one game in a preliminary decision, to be reviewed when the disciplinary committee meets on Friday. A two-match suspension would rule him out of Brazil's final group game against Venezuela and any quarter-final clash.

AFP

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