August 6 – Brazil have appealed FIFA’s decision to suspend veteran superstar Marta for two matches after her red card in the group stage of the women’s Olympic tournament.
Brazil are set to face World Cup champion Spain in a semi-final match at Marseille later today.
Marta, 38, sat out Brazil’s quarterfinal win over host France after she received a red card in her team’s group-stage finale against Spain.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee later determined the foul merited a two-match suspension, a huge blow given Marta is Brazil’s captain and a six-time world player of the year who has said this is her final international tournament.
“Marta has an impeccable record of respecting the rules of the sport and fair play, being a world reference in the sport for several generations for everything she has achieved on and off the field,” the Brazilian FA said in a statement.
The appeal looks highly likely to fail as FIFA’s own disciplinary rules state that appeals are not admissible for two-game bans.
Even if Brazil lose to Spain in the semi-finals, Marta will still have a chance to play in the bronze medal match set for Friday in Lyon.
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