Brazil appeals Marta's suspension for the Paris Olympics semifinals

Brazil has appealed FIFA s decision to suspend Marta for two matches after her red card in the group stage of the women s soccer tournament at the Par...

Brazil has appealed FIFA's decision to suspend Marta for two matches after her red card in the group stage of the women's soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics.

Brazil is set to face World Cup champion Spain in a semifinal match at Marseille on Tuesday.

Marta sat out Brazil's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over host France after she received a red card in her team's group-stage finale against Spain for a foul on Olga Carmona.

The red card was an emotional blow to Marta, the team captain and a six-time world player of the year who has said this is her final international tournament with the team.

FIFA's disciplinary committee later determined the foul merited a two-match suspension. The Brazilian soccer federation announced late Sunday it was appealing the decision.