Zuniga apologizes to Neymar for tackle

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) 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.