Colombia's Football Federation will provide security measures for defender Camilo Zuniga over threats he has received for a foul that ended Brazilian forward Neymar's World Cup, the ruling body said on Wednesday.
Zuniga's raised-knee challenge during a rough quarterfinal when Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 left Neymar with a broken vertebra and out of the hosts' semifinal against Germany.
The 28-year-old right-back, who plays his club football with Napoli, sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery to Neymar and said there was no ill intent in the clash.
But there was a vitriolic reaction in some quarters, especially from Brazil, where current and ex-players called the tackle "cowardly" and "evil."
"The Colombian Football Federation rejects all threats and insults against the player Camilo Zuniga and his family," the national body said in a statement.
"It reiterates it will continue taking all actions with the appropriate security and government organs to give the necessary guarantees to the player, for both his time in Colombia and his permanent residency in Italy." Zuniga is currently on holiday in Colombia after the team's wonderful World Cup run and is due to return to Italy in days.
Earlier this week, football's world governing body FIFA ruled that he would not be retrospectively punished for the clash, noting it could not reopen the case because the referee had dealt with it on the pitch.
Sympathisers say Zuniga's foul on Brazil's marquee player was clearly not intended because TV replays showed he had his eye on the ball, but critics say it was reckless to have gone in with a knee up regardless of that. The referee gave a foul but no card.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks