The Argentina midfielder says greater protection must be given to skilful players in South America

Javier Mascherano says Brazil captain Neymar was kicked out of the Copa America. 

The Barcelona forward was handed a four-match ban by Conmebol on Friday following his red card and subsequent clash with referee Enqiue Osses during the Selecao’s 1-0 loss to Colombia.

The sanction means Neymar will miss the remainder of the tournament and Argentina midfielder Mascherano says his Blaugrana team-mate has been once again let down by match officials.

“Things like this happen in South American football and even more so in the Copa America, where it's difficult for players like him because you get more protection in Europe,” Mascherano told ESPN.

"Neymar was kicked 20 times, yet he was shown a yellow card for one handball. These type of talented players aren’t allowed to play. The tackles are getting worse in the tournament. It depends on what the referees and organisations want to do about it.

"We must do more to protect these players. He was kicked 20 times! This affects your head. Don’t forget that Neymar is Neymar, but he’s only a boy of 23 years. Brazil have lost a lot."

Neymar was handed a second yellow card at the final whistle for kicking the ball against Colombia’s Pablo Armero before aiming a head-butt at Jeison Murillo.

He was originally handed a one-match ban before receiving an additional three-game suspension for verbally abusing the match official. He has also been fined $10,000 USD.

Brazil striker Neymar will miss the rest of the Copa America after being suspended for four games.

The 23-year-old Barcelona forward was shown a red card for clashing with Colombia players following Brazil's 1-0 defeat in their most recent group game.

He was initially banned for one game, ruling him out of the final group match with Venezuela on Sunday.

But the South American Football Confederation has now reviewed the case and increased the punishment.

Neymar was shown the red card after kicking a ball at Colombia's Pablo Armero in frustration after the final whistle before appearing to head butt another player who confronted him. Brazilian media reports suggested he had also confronted the referee before returning to the dressing room.

Colombia's Carlos Bacca, who was also sent off for a retaliatory shove, has been given a two-game ban.

Both players have the right to appeal.

Neymar had already been shown a yellow card earlier in the Colombia game that would have kept him from playing against Venezuela.

In the 2014 World Cup Neymar was forced out of the tournament with a broken bone in his spine after he was kneed in the back by Colombia's Juan Zuniga in a challenge that went unpunished.