RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s media officer Rodrigo Paiva has been suspended from all duties at Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia.

Paiva, the communications director of the Brazilian confederation and a permanent presence for many years at the side of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, was shown a red card by English referee Howard Webb after a half-time incident during last Saturday’s dramatic second round victory over Chile.

A FIFA spokesperson said today that the disciplinary committee had opened proceedings into the incident but that Paiva was suspended for one game automatically because of the red card.

The CBF has until tomorrow to submit possible notice of appeal.

Paiva had clashed with Chilean substitute Mauricio Pinilla during a heated discussion between players and staff of both teams on their way into the tunnel. He said later: “I defended myself when he came near me. I reacted by shoving him.”

After the match Scolari complained about the pressure exerted by the Chilean bench obn the German fourth referee, Felix Brych.

Scolari said: “The atmosphere on our bench was very tense because the opposition were complaining so much to the fourth official. It was like war. They were almost coming into our area.”

Santos, Robben etc

FIFA is expected to clarify later the incident in which Greece manager Fernando Santos was sent from the sidelines before the penalty shootout against Costa Rica.

Australian referee Ben Williams appeared to allow Santos to sort out his penalty kick takers before leaving the pitch and walking down the tunnel.

No action will be taken against Arjen Robben despite his comments after the victory over Mexico that he had ‘dived’ in the first half when under pressure just outside the penalty box.

Mexico complained, in vain, that Robben had dived to win the penalty from which Klass-Jan Huntelaar struck the stoppage-time winning goal.

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