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World Cup chit-chat: Brazil appeals for withdrawal of suspension of skipper Silva

Brazil have appealed to FIFA World Cup authorities to withdraw the yellow card suspension imposed on their captain Thiago Silva so that he can turn out for Tuesday's semi-final clash against Germany.

-Germany shielded from public at beachside fortress

The defender was booked in Friday's win against Colombia for blocking Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina's attempt to take a kick.

According to the BBC, it was the 29-year-old Silva's second yellow of the tournament, meaning he is automatically suspended for one match.

FIFA spokesman Delia Fischer said the football governing body's disciplinary committee is "analysing materials" submitted by the Brazilian football confederation.

He had scored the opener as Brazil won 2-1 to progress to the last four.

However, Brazil's chances of a successful appeal appear limited as, historically, only red cards have been rescinded.

The hosts are already without their star forward Neymar for the rest of the World Cup after he fractured a vertebra in his spine against Colombia.

Meanwhile, Neymar's likely replacement Willian gave Brazil a scare when he suffered a back injury in training, but he says he is fit to face Germany.

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Suarez bite referee picked for Brazil-Germany semifinal

The referee who failed to see Luis Suarez bite an opponent has been picked to officiate Brazil's World Cup semifinal against Germany.

FIFA says on its website that Marco Rodriguez of Mexico will referee the match in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Rodriguez has handled two World Cup matches, including Uruguay's 1-0 win against Italy on June 24.

Suarez's bite of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder went unseen and unpunished by the Mexican match officials. FIFA later banned Suarez for nine international matches and four months from all football activity. He has appealed.

Earlier, Rodriquez showed Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio a red card for a serious foul.

Algeria coach departs despite pleas to stay

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Sunday confirmed his departure from the job despite presidential pleas that he stay on after taking the North African nation to the knockout phase of the World Cup finals for the first time.

The Bosnian coach confirmed his departure in a statement posted on the website of the Algerian Football Federation.

Halilhodzic received a personal plea from Algeria president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to stay after the squad were given a hero's welcome in Algiers on Wednesday.

They were beaten 2-1 in extra time by Germany in the last-16 of the World Cup in Porto Alegre on Monday. Halilhodzic confirmed his departure saying "family obligations and the lure of new sporting challenges weighed heavily in my choice".

The 61-year-old is expected to be named new coach of Turkey's Trabzonspor next week.

Algeria already have Frenchman Christian Gourcuff lined up as Halilhodzic's successor after he said several months ago he would not renew his contract after the World Cup.

Halilhodzic, a former Yugoslav international striker, had a testy relationship with the Algerian federation and the country's media but emerged a folk hero after Algeria got past the group stage of the World Cup for the first time in four attempts.