The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) submitted their appeal to reduce the ban on FC Barcelona star Neymar’s sending off against Colombia by arguing the linesman provoked the player by calling him a “Pool man”
As per the Spanish newspaper Marca, the CBF believe they have strong grounds for appeal to limit the ban for FC Barcelona star Neymar to just 1 game. The cit the reason that the linesman provoked Neymar throughout the game by calling him “Pool man”, a reference to his somewhat of a reputation to go down easily.
The CBFa s Legal Director Carlos EugA?nio Lopes told Globesport yesterday evening and that the systematic provocation was what caused Neymar to boil over.
The FC Barcelona man was sent off after the final whistle for petulantly kicking the ball at Pablo Armero and then attempting headbutt at a Colombian player which then led to a scuffle Colombian players including Carlos Bacca of Seville who was also sent off.
CONMEBOL had initially announced that Neymar would provisionally be banned for two games, which they then reduced to one game. Their final decision will be announced tomorrow, after receiving the appeal from the Brazilian Federation.
Earlier, Neymar’s FC Barcelona team mate Dani Alves had accused James Rodriguez and co. of provoking Neymar and also blasted the referees in the Colombia tie.
a Referees have to stop thinking that they are the stars, the stars are not them a they are there to control the game,a Alves fumed.
“We are used to this in South America a everyone here is against Brazil.a
Accusing Real Madrid star James Rodriguez and his team mates of seeking to provoke Neymar, 12 months after the striker suffered a broken vertebra during the two teamsa stormy World Cup last eight battle, he said: a They know the personality of Neymar and they went in search of him. They tried to provoke him and make him nervous.a
However, contrary to accusations by Dani Alves, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has revealed that he did try to calm him down post game.
a I told Neymar to be calm and adhere to the talent God gave him,a AS quoted the Real Madrid midfielder saying.
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a I went through the same feeling when we lost to Venezuela. I was very angry that day.”
It remains to be seen if the CONMEBOL buys the argument of the CBF that Neymar was provoked. For now, FC Barcelona star is sure to the crucial final group game with the group on knife’s edge at the moment.