RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s senior press official has been given a one-match ban for his role in a flare-up in the tunnel at half-time during the World Cup last 16 match against Chile on Saturday, FIFA said today.
“He has been suspended for one match,” a FIFA spokeswoman said when asked for an update on the case involving Brazil spokesman Rodrigo Paiva.
FIFA said the punishment was automatically applied after Paiva was sent off by the match referee. The case is being considered by the organization’s Disciplinary Committee which could hit Paiva with a longer ban.
Paiva said after the match, which Brazil won on penalties, that there was a scuffle with Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla (pictured) at half-time and that he shoved him in self-defence.
Pinilla said Paiva’s punishment should have been much harsher.
“I demand that FIFA give Rodrigo Paiva an exemplary punishment just like the one imposed on my colleague (Uruguay striker) Suarez!!! This is even more serious.! There are images,” Pinilla tweeted on his official account.
Suarez was punished with a nine-game suspension on playing competitive matches for Uruguay and a four-month ban from any football-related activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in their World Cup Group D match in Natal on June 24. REUTERS
