Neymar handed four-match ban

Posted Saturday, June 20, 2015 by Goal.com

The Barcelona attacker has been punished for his role in Wednesday's post-game brawl and will miss the remainder of the tournament.

Brazil coach Dunga will have to make do without the services of Neymar for the remainder of the Copa America, with the attacker handed a four-game suspension.

The Barcelona star was shown a straight red card for his role in a brawl with Jeison Murillo and Carlos Bacca after Brazil's Copa América loss against Colombia on Wednesday and has consequently been banned for four matches as well as a $10,000 fine.

He had previously already picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 1-0 defeat versus the Colombians.

Neymar will thus miss Brazil's final Group C match versus Venezuela on Sunday, while he is also out of any potential knockout stage match. Brazil have the right to appeal the decision to Conmebol, the South American governing body, on Saturday morning.

The 23-year-old was in fine form in the Selecao's 2-1 opening win over Peru, scoring once and setting up Douglas Costa's opener. He was unable to replicate that form versus Jose Pékerman's men, though, as they were beaten 1-0.

Neymar's absence means Philippe Coutinho or Douglas Costa could make Dunga's starting XI for the remainder of the tournament.