Brazil To Be Docked A$2M For Leaving Neymar Out Of Melbourne Tour

Brazil will be docked around A$2M ($1.5M) after leaving Neymar out of the upcoming Melbourne tour, according to David Davutovic of the HERALD SUN. Fans will be "left disappointed after paying top dollar" for the June 9 friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, billed as the Lionel Messi vs. Neymar "showdown." But Messi "is a confirmed visitor" after he was named in Argentina's "full-strength" traveling squad that includes Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuaín of Juventus and Paris St. Germain's Ángel Di María. Having "already secured World Cup qualification," Brazil coach Tite's "stocks are high" and he "flexed his muscle by resting his captain." Approximately A$2M in match fees is "now at risk after the State Government safeguarded itself after a host of superstar no-shows" in last year's Int'l Champions Cup. Tite said of his decision, "I do what is best for the Brazil team. ... There is no such thing as a friendly against Argentina" (HERALD SUN, 5/20).