Brazil not expecting Rivaldo ban

THE head of Brazil's delegation to Fifa has said they have had no indication that Rivaldo will receive a ban for feigning injury against Turkey and expect him to line-up in the second game against China.

The Barcelona playmaker, who scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in the opening Group C clash, went down clutching his face after having the ball kicked at him by Hakan Unsal and was widely condemned by the watching media.

Fifa have brought in measures to punish players for such play-acting during the competition and initially delayed a judgement but Brazilian chief Weber Magalhaes says football's governing body has not been in contact to discuss the case.

"Up to now we do not know anything about an investigation," Magalhaes said.

"FIFA, which is a very organised body, has not told us anything about a possible investigation into Rivaldo - and we are not expecting any announcement on this issue.

"If there is any investigation on Rivaldo there would have to be some communication with the Brazilian delegation on the matter - but there has not been.

"The person who was supposed to be sanctioned has been - it was the Turkish player who deliberately fired the ball at Rivaldo. He was sent off and cannot play the next game."