Neymar will play no further part in the Copa America tournament, after Brazil opted not to appeal against the forward’s four-match ban.

The 23-year-old was shown a red card after the final whistle of Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia last week.

Brazil coach Dunga had said that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) would appeal the card.

But the Brazilian confederation released a statement confirming it would accept the suspension.

“The technical commission and the player hopes that Conmebol [the South American Football Confederation] adopt the same rigour they used in punishing Neymar in all their competitions,” said the statement.

The Barcelona forward explained why he would be leaving Chile.

“I waited with great faith and hope that there would be a possibility of me playing for Brazil again in this Copa America, but unfortunately it will not be possible,” Neymar wrote on his official Instagram account.

“I know my presence in the group is important, but other players now more than ever have to be focused on the upcoming games.

“I will be cheering for the team’s success but to stay in training would kill me inside. It would be joyless. It’s very hard to train without having anything to aim for and I could easily pick up an injury.

“Staying with the squad could lead to concentration issues and would distract from the main objective of winning the competition.”

Neymar said he was sorry for his behaviour.

“I never dodged the responsibility of being a leader of the group,” he added. “As a captain I always go in search of victories and make decisions – whether erroneous or right – and this is a moment of decision-making.

“I apologise to my colleagues for putting people in this situation, but I’m sure it will be a learning curve in my career.”

The forward, who won La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona in 2014-15, was banned for four matches after receiving a yellow card, followed by a straight red and then verbally abusing the referee after last Wednesday’s game with Colombia.

According to the referee Enrique Osses’ report, Neymar shouted: “You want to make yourself famous at my expense, you son of a b**ch”, Neymar said to the ref after hanging around for him in the tunnel.

“He was waiting for me and insulted me, calling me a son of a b**ch.”

Neymar was in the ground on Sunday to see Brazil beat Venezuela 2-1, a result that took them to the top of Group C and into a quarter-final tie with Paraguay on Saturday.