LAUSANNE: Brazil will be without star striker Neymar for upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected an appeal from the Brazilian FA on Friday.

In a statement, the Swiss-based court confirmed it had “dismissed the urgent appeal filed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) against FIFA and the South American Football Confederation”. CAS added that “the two remaining match bans will have to be served during the next qualifying matches for the 2018 FIFA WC to be held on 8 and 13 October 2015”.

He was given a four-match ban after he was sent off against Colombia during a match at Copa America tournament.