The Selecao captain was warned not to confront the
match official after his dismissal against Colombia, the
technical coordinator has admitted
By Tony Mahoney
Jul 3, 2015 08:28:58
Brazil 's technical coordinator
Gilmar Rinaldi says Neymar
disobeyed instructions from
the coaching staff when he
confronted the referee after
seeing red against Colombia
at the Copa America.
The Barcelona star was sent off at the end of Brazil’s
Group C defeat after kicking a ball at an opponent
before attempting to headbutt another, receiving a four-
match ban which ruled him out of the rest of the
tournament.
However, the severity of the punishment was due in part
to Neymar's decision to angrily confront referee Enrique
Osses in the tunnel, in direct defiance of advice from his
seniors.
“I told him to be careful because he is responsible for
his own actions,” former World Cup winner Gilmar told
L'Equipe .
“Neymar told me it was fair for him to talk to the
referee, but I told him that it wasn’t the right time.
“But this is a learning process. I participated in his
nomination as captain and I have no regrets. I have to
prepare a great captain.”
Brazil played just twice more in the tournament,
crashing out on penalties to Paraguay in the quarter-
finals, meaning Neymar’s suspension rolls into the
upcoming World Cup qualifiers. As a result, the 23-year-
old will miss his country's opening two fixtures against
Colombia and Ecuador.