Soccer
10:35, 05-Jun-2019
Neymar to play Copa America despite scandal
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Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar will play at the upcoming Copa America despite a rape accusation made against him, said Rogerio Caboclo, president of Brazilian soccer confederation (CBF), on Tuesday.
"There is no chance of him not taking part in the Copa America," Caboclo told press on the sidelines of the FIFA congress in Paris.
"We are following the matter closely and we have complete confidence in Neymar. We know what kind of man he is and what of sportsman he is," said the CBF president who took office since April 9.
Neymar, 27, is accused of raping a Brazilian woman in a Paris hotel in mid-May after two months of exchanges on social media culminated in her flying to Paris to meet him.
Rogerio Caboclo poses with the giant logo of CBF during his inauguration ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 9, 2019. /VCG Photo
Rogerio Caboclo poses with the giant logo of CBF during his inauguration ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 9, 2019. /VCG Photo
Neymar denies the rape.
He is currently in Brazil preparing for the Copa, which takes place in the country from June 14 to July 7.
Caboclo said that if Neymar were a target for hecklers, the striker would have to accept it.
"He's one of the world's top players, I believe the fans can work things out, given how crucial he could be for us," Caboclo said.
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Source(s): AFP