Romario Blames Neymar Ban on Brazil FA President's Fear of Arrest Amid FIFA Case

Former Brazil international Romario has put the blame for Neymar's lengthy four-match international ban squarely at the feet of Brazilian Football Association (CBF) President Marco Polo Del Nero, whom he has accused of being involved in the ongoing FIFA corruption scandal.  

Romario believes the reason Del Nero failed to travel to the Copa America in Chile—and thus defend Neymar after he was sent off against Colombia—is because he fears getting arrested, per Spanish outlet Marca: "He doesn't travel abroad because he's scared of getting arrested for his possible involvement in the FIFA scandal."

CONMEBOL handed Neymar a hefty four-match ban after he was shown a red card for kicking the ball toward Pablo Armero and appearing to head-butt another player following Brazil's 1-0 loss to Colombia, per the Associated Press (via the Guardian).

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

As a result, he will miss Brazil's October World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Copa America champions Chile.

Per Marca, the ban may yet be overturned as the CBF are planning to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to get the suspension reduced.

The CBF have previously been implicated in the FIFA corruption scandal as former President Jose Mario Marin was named in the United States Department of Justice's investigation into the governing body, per ESPN FC. 

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It is also not the first time Romario, now a senator in Brazil, has made accusations against those implicated in the FIFA scandal; he previously branded Marin "one of the biggest thieves" in sport, per ESPN FC.

According to Marca's report, Del Nero has not left Brazil since the FIFA corruption scandal broke.

Neymar will be a huge miss for Brazil in their upcoming internationals—they play Chile on October 9 and Venezuela on October 14.

Despite only being 23, the forward is already a talisman for Dunga's side and arguably the most important player in the whole squad.

The likes of Chelsea duo Oscar and Willian and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho will need to step up in Neymar's absence, but they face tough challenges in both matches.