Brazil's Neymar was escorted to the tunnel as the referee gives him a red card. (Photo : Reuters)
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) banned Seleção captain Neymar for four games after his violent antics following their group qualification 0-1 loss against Colombia on June 17, according to CNN.
Aside from kicking the ball into the back of Los Cafeteros' defender Pablo Armero after the final whistle, Neymar also appeared to have head butted defender Jeison Murillo, who tried to pacify him during the incident. Worse, the Barcelona winger also confronted referee Enrique Osses in the tunnel and said derogatory words toward the game official, which may have aggravated his punishment.
The result of Neymar's foul temper at that instant may have cost Brazil more than it could handle. The final verdict: he was suspended for four games, or the rest of this year's Copa America tournament if his team is able to survive all of the knockout games. Otherwise, it will be extended to the next international games that Canarinho would play.
Brazilian coach Dunga said that the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) would definitely appeal the body's decision. If the petition is successful, then the penalty will be lessened to three games, which would allow Neymar to play in the final of this summer's tournament if ever the Pentacampeões would get past Lionel Messi and the Argentinians or James Rodriguez and the Colombians in the semifinals.
Brazil's chances in this Copa certainly went dim after Neymar's unnecessary childish emotional outburst. It is quite clear that the 23-year-old is still immature when it comes to handling pressure and accepting losses.
SB Nation said that Neymar "is not a monster" and that "he'll learn from his mistakes" sooner or later. The article also disclosed that Brazil's team leader was targeted throughout the Colombia match and was the victim of constant kicking and sweeping from Carlos Sánchez and Juan Camilo Zúñiga, which was not handled very well by the referee.
