RIO — Brazil press officer Rodrigo Paiva has been provisionally suspended by Fifa following an incident with Chile player Mauricio Pinilla during Saturday’s World Cup last-16 match.
The communications officer will miss Friday’s game with Colombia pending the outcome of Fifa’s investigation into an alleged punch he threw at Pinilla at half-time.
“I defended myself when he came near me. I reacted by shoving him,” he said.
Fifa say its investigation is ongoing.
Brazil won 3-2 on penalties in Belo Horizonte to reach the quarter-finals.
The hosts will face Colombia in Fortaleza.
Pinilla on Monday lashed out at Fifa after Paiva was given a one-match ban following allegations he punched the Chile striker during the World Cup last-16 game between the countries.
“One match for Rodrigo Paiva? You should be ashamed for that delinquent dressed in a suit,” Pinilla wrote on his Twitter account before comparing the ban to the four-month suspension given to Uruguay’s Luis Suarez for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini last week.
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“Suarez for a bite risks his career . . . A Press chief gets one game for a punch in the face? Fifa??
“I demand that FIFA hand Rodrigo Paiva an exemplary punishment equal to that of my colleague Suarez . . . !!! This is even more serious! They have the images,” he added.
Paiva was issued with a red card following the incident and will not be able to take any part in Brazil’s quarter-final against Colombia on Friday, Fifa spokeswoman Delia Fischer confirmed earlier on Monday.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee was also investigating the incident, meaning Paiva could face further sanctions.
In a statement on the website of the Brazilian Football Confederatin (CBF), Paiva said: “I respect, as I always have, decisions taken by Fifa. The case is being investigated by Fifa’s disciplinary committee, and they already have proof of reprehensible conduct by the Chilean delegation that will show the truth of what happened.”
The fracas happened at half-time in Saturday’s match in Belo Horizonte, which Brazil won on penalties.
Chile’s media spokesman Maria Jose said his Brazilian counterpart “hit” Pinilla.
Paiva told Brazilian media there was shoving by both sides as the two teams left the field.
“I was not the only one involved. Pinilla came looking for me and I just defended myself,” he was quoted as saying. “I just pushed him,” he added. “They started to insult us, there was some shoving, but no assault.” — BBC Sport
