No FIFA action against Juan Zuniga for challenge on Neymar

Posted Tuesday, July 08, 2014 by skysports.com

Zuniga launches the challenge which ended Neymar's World Cup.

FIFA's disciplinary committee will take no action against Colombia's Juan Zuniga for the challenge which led to Brazil superstar Neymar's serious injury.

Neymar sustained a fractured third vertebra following the 86th-minute challenge by Napoli full-back Zuniga during Brazil's 2-1 victory over Colombia in the World Cup quarter-final in Fortaleza on Friday.

Zuniga kneed Neymar in the back when jumping into him at speed and the Brazilian was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament as a result of his injury.

Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo did not show Zuniga a yellow card and the Confederation of Brazilian Football complained to FIFA about the challenge - Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari claimed Colombia had been "hunting" Neymar.

FIFA's disciplinary panel, which was chaired by Claudio Sulser, studied the video of the incident but they decided they were unable to consider the matter under the rules as the incident was seen by the match officials.

They therefore declined to open proceedings against Zuniga, who apologised to Neymar on Saturday.

A FIFA statement read: "The chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee deeply regrets the incident and the serious consequences on Neymar's health.

"No retrospective action can be taken... since the incident involving the Colombian player Juan Camilo Zuniga Mosquera did not escape the match officials' attention.

"The conditions by which the FIFA disciplinary committee can intervene in any incident have to be considered independently of the consequences of that incident, such as an unfortunate injury suffered by a player.

"We wish Neymar a prompt and complete recovery as we wish the same for all players who have sadly been ruled out of the World Cup through injury."