In an interview with Rede Globo, Brazil captain Neymar put forward his version of the events that led to his four-match suspension and the end of his participation in the Copa América. In the referee's match report, it was stated that Neymar grabbed the match official by the throat and insulted him during a fracas in the tunnel after he had been sent off after the whistle following a set-to with Colombia players.
"I was in the tunnel and I was waiting for the referee to ask him why he had sent me off," Neymar said. "There was a bit of bother because the security guards were there and thought I was more agitated than I really was, I don't know what they were thinking... that I was going to hit him or something. And it ended up creating all of this."