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Colombia's Zuniga apologizes to Neymar for World Cup tackle

The Associated Press Published Saturday, July 5, 2014 2:44PM EDT

Brazil's Neymar, bottom, falls beside Colombia's Juan Zuniga during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP / Themba Hadebe)

Text:

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Colombia defender Camilo Zuniga has sent a letter of apology to Neymar, saying he is "deeply sorry and sad" for causing the injury that knocked the Brazil striker out of the World Cup.

In a statement distributed Saturday by the Colombia team, Zuniga says "although I feel the situation was normal in a game, there was no bad intention, malice or negligence on my part."

Neymar, Brazil's key player at the World Cup, broke a vertebra in his back late in Friday's quarterfinal win over Colombia.