Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has said Barcelona and Brazil forward should have been sent off in the World Cup opener between the teams.
Mundo Deportivo reports Rakitic – who is expected to join Barca – as criticising the decision not to dismiss Neymar for using an arm on Luka Modric. He was instead shown a yellow card.
Croatia were leading at the time through a Marcelo own goal but Neymar eventually scored an equaliser and then converted a penalty to but the hosts in front. Oscar wrapped up the 3-1 win with a late strike.
“Neymar is a great player, a real crack, one of the best players in the world, but he deserved a red card for the incident with Modric,” the Sevilla captain said.
“If the referee had sent him off he wouldn’t have been on the pitch to score two goals.”
Rakitic was asked about the status of his proposed move to Camp Nou but declined to speak of club matters.
“I haven’t talked [about Barca] yet and I won’t now,” he said.
“Respect my decision and respect my World Cup. Talk about my national team, of which I’m very proud.
“We made it uncomfortable for Brazil and we deserved more but now we just keep working and thinking about the six points at stake.”
