Asked Neymar to Keep Calm, says Colombia's James Rodriguez
Neymar drove the ball into Colombian defender Pablo Armero after the final whistle was blown and then aimed a headbutt at Jeison Murillo.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: June 18, 2015 07:14 pm IST
![Asked Neymar to Keep Calm, says Colombia's James Rodriguez](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/jun/806/neymar-and-james-rodrigues-copa-america.jpg)
Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez has said he tried to calm down Brazilian star striker Neymar after the latter was sent off in the five-time World Cup winners' 0-1 defeat in a group match of the Copa America.
Barcelona star Neymar drove the ball into Colombian defender Pablo Armero after the final whistle was blown and then aimed a headbutt at Jeison Murillo, who had tried to step in during Wednesday's match.
A brawl followed and it included other players too and ended with Neymar and Colombia's Carlos Bacca being red-carded but James claims he tried to calm the former down. (Neymar Awaits Copa America Fate)
"At the end of the match I told Neymar to stay calm," James was quoted as saying by goal.com on Thursday. (Brazil Must Learn to Play Without Neymar: Dunga)
"I also went through that four days ago when we lost to Venezuela. That day I felt really angry," the Real Madrid star added.
Brazil are second in Group C ahead of their final match against Venezuela, while Colombia sit third -- but level on points with the former two teams -- with a Peru clash on the horizon.