Brazil and Argentina may have a massive rivalry, but, that has not stopped Javier Mascherano come in defence of his under-fire FC Barcelona team mate Neymar following his red card in the aftermath of Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Colombia that saw him in center of a scuffle.
South American federation CONMEBOLa s disciplinary committee has extended the provisional one game ban for Neymar to four games following his behavior in the aftermath of Brazila s 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
The suspension means that Neymar will miss the crucial final game with all four teams locked at three points in Group C, as well as the entire tournament should Brazil reach the finals.
The FC Barcelona star has come under increased criticism including from former Real Madrid star and Brazil legend Ronaldo.
Neymar’s FC Barcelona team mate Javier Mascherano has jumped to the defense of the Brazil star, adding fuel to the theory laid down by Dani Alves that the FC Barcelona star was provoked by Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez and his Colombian team mates.
Mascherano said: a These type of talented players arena t allowed to play. The collisions are getting worse in the tournament. It depends on what the referees and organisations want to do.”
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a We must do more to protect these players. [Neymar was] kicked 20 times, yet one hand was shown a yellow. This affects your head. Dona t forget that Neymar is Neymar, but hea s only a boy of 23 years. Brazil have lost a lot [as a result].a
FC Barcelona’s former president Josep Maria Bartomeu also joined the voices defending the FC Barcelona star.
“With Neymar it is an unjust situation,a said Bartomeu. a We will continue to defend the player because he has done things well. I have always said that the first Neymar case will end in nothing. Now there is another case. The most important thing is that the player is with Barca and he will be for many years.a