Sent off and suspended, yet Raphinha stays with Brazil squad for Singapore trip

Brazil star forward Raphinha was shown a red card in the match his side lost 3-2 to Japan.

Because of that card, he will not be able to take the field in the Selecao's last international match of the year, against Singapore.

Although he is banned from that match, Brazil has decided to keep him with the squad.

Rodrigo Caetano, general director of national teams at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), has formally confirmed the decision.

Players suspended through cards are usually free to return to their clubs early, but in Raphinha's case Brazil has no plan to release him to Barcelona just yet.

According to a report by sports journalist Fernando Polo, a CBF representative said after a special meeting that the forward would not be released to his club until the international camp is completely over. So even though he cannot play, he will stay with the national team for the whole Singapore tour.

Barcelona is disappointed by Brazil's decision. Raphinha returned to Spain injured from national duty in each of the last two international breaks, so after this red card the Catalan club had thought the suspension might let them get him back early, free of injury risk.

The CBF decision has dashed that hope. To get Raphinha back fit, Barcelona must now wait until Brazil's international camp officially ends; only after the national team's fixtures are over will the forward be able to return to Spain.