World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 60,342

World Cup | Quarter-Finals

Jul 4, 2014 at 9pm UK

Brazil
2-1
Colombia

Silva (7'), Luiz (69')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Rodriguez (80' pen.)

Juan Camilo Zuniga apologises for Neymar challenge

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter

Published: July 6 2014 | 03:45

Last updated: July 6 2014 | 11:22

Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga issues an apology to Neymar for the challenge that ended the 22-year-old's World Cup in Brazil's quarter-final victory.

Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga has apologised to Neymar for the challenge that ended the Brazil forward's World Cup.

The 22-year-old was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining fractured vertebra after colliding with the right-back in the 88th minute of the Selecao's quarter-final win.

Zuniga wrote on his Instagram account: "I feel burdened by this situation. It resulted from a normal play and there was no bad intention, evil or recklessness from my part.

"I want to send a special salute to Neymar. I admire you, I respect you and I consider you one of the best players in the world.

"I hope you recover soon in order to continue to show us that in football there is a sport full of virtue and qualities, which I have put into practice since I was 12 years old and as a professional player."

FIFA have announced that they are analysing the incident to determine whether to take action against the Colombia defender.