KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Brazil suffered a major blow hours before their Olympic women’s football semi-final against Spain when the CBF failed in an attempt to have Marta’s two-game suspension reduced.

Marta had been suspended for two matches by world football federation FIFA after being sent off for a dangerous high kick in their last group game against the same opponents.

Brazil, without their greatest player, had reached the quarter-finals by defeating hosts France 1-0. The Brazilian confederation and team management had been confident the two-game ban would be cut on appeal to the temporary Games tribunal of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However that confidence proved misplaced this morning.

A CAS statement said: “The applicants sought the annulment of the challenged decision and a new decision establishing that the player [Marta Vieira da Silva,] serve only a one-match suspension (already served in the match of 3 August 2024 against the French team) and authorising her to participate in Brazil’s next match against Spain (semi-final) on 6 August.

“The Sole Arbitrator appointed to decide the application, Ms Laila El Shentenawi (Egypt), held a hearing
with the parties by video-conference this morning. In view of the urgency, she issued her decision this
afternoon, rejecting the application. The full award with grounds will be issued in due course.”

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