Silva calls Zuniga a coward for Neymar challenge
Print Edition
BRAZIL captain Thiago Silva branded Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga a coward on Monday for the tackle which put star striker Neymar out of the World Cup.
“In my opinion it was a cowardly tackle,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender said on the eve of his side’s World Cup semifinal against Germany yesterday.
“I am a defender, I know how to mark a player and there is no way you can get the ball by putting a knee in the back. It is not something that comes about in a normal match situation.”
FIFA turned down a request from the Brazilian Football Confederation to ban Zuniga on Monday because the incident had been seen by the match officials at the time and no action was taken.
Silva will miss the match against the Germans in Belo Horizonte after FIFA also turned down the CBF’s appeal against his yellow card in the 2-1 quarterfinal win over Colombia last Friday.
The 29-year-old was booked 25 minutes from time with Brazil leading 1-0 through his early strike for impeding Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.
“In no moment did I intend to take the ball from the goalkeeper. I was trying so hard not to commit any fouls, the only foul I remember was the yellow card and it is very difficult to miss the game. But I really trust the players on the pitch.”
However, Silva still harbors ambitions of returning to lead the side come the final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
“My mission is not finished at the World Cup. These things like my absence and Neymar are making the group more united, it strengthens the group greatly.”
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