Brazil wants Zúñiga punished for injuring Neymar

Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF) has appealed to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee to punish Colombia's Camilo Zúñiga for the foul that stole Neymar out of this World Cup. The information was confirmed by the Confederation on Sunday (July 6).

During the Brazil-Colombia match on Friday (4), Neymar was kneed in lower back, fracturing his vertebra. His recovery is expected to take about 45 days. In a press conference, Brazil's team's doctor José Luiz Runco said Neymar's injury won't impair his career as a footballer.

Neymar made a heartfelt appearance in a video released by CBF, telling Brazilian fans his dream is not over.

“This is a very hard moment for me and I'm at a loss for words to say what is going in my mind and in my heart. I'd like to thank you for all the support and warmth you've shown, all of you who have left messages and all. And I tell you my dream is not over – it has indeed been interrupted by a tackle, but it still lives on.”

At the end of the fatal match, Zúñiga claimed that the blow was an ordinary move and said he is sorry for Neymar's injury. On its Instagram profile, he said he admires Neymar and hopes for his recovery so people can still see football as a sport full of virtue and qualities.

CBF has also urged FIFA to cancel Thiago Silva's yellow card. The caution is his second booking in the competition and will bar him from playing the semi-final against Germany on Tuesday (8).

Translated by Mayra Borges