Brazil appeal Neymar ban to Court of Arbitration for Sport

Brasilia: Brazil have appealed the suspension of star striker Neymar for their two opening World Cup 2018 qualifiers to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Brazil captain Neymar was given a four-match ban during a first round match against Colombia of this year`s Copa America tournament when he received two yellow cards followed by a red card.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) believe the Barcelona forward should purge the remaining two matches in games which count towards the Copa America. 

World football`s governing body however says Neymar must purge his ban during Brazil`s next two international matches. 

Those matches happen to be Brazil`s opening World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Chile on October 8 and Venezuela on October 15, in the ten team, 18 match Latin American qualifying group.

Neymar is just 23, but has scored a staggering 46 senior international goals already for Brazil.

"As all parties have agreed to an expedited procedure, the CAS will put in place a procedural timetable for this arbitration which allows for a decision to be issued to the parties by early October 2015," CAS said in a statement on Friday.