Johannesburg: Brazil downplayed the protective back padding used by goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the match against Portugal, saying on Saturday that it had received FIFA approval.
The back padding became visible after Julio Cesar was injured in the second half of Brazil's 0-0 draw with Portugal on Friday in Durban. Doctors had to lift his jersey and the protection was seen strapped around his lower back.
Brazilian federation spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said the protection has a small metal strip on it, but that FIFA officials looked at it before the match and didn't say it was a problem.
FIFA can prohibit some devices from being used if they can cause injuries to other players. The governing body did not immediately confirm that it had approved the protection.
"It's just to give me extra support. I have used it before," Julio Cesar said after the match. "There is nothing wrong with it."
The goalkeeper said that he would be able to play without the protection if needed. He injured his lower back in the first half of Brazil's warmup against Zimbabwe on June 2.
The injury forced the Inter Milan goalkeeper to miss several practice sessions and the warmup against Tanzania on June 7. He has played all three World Cup matches so far, conceding a goal against North Korea and another against Ivory Coast.
Brazil was one of the teams that recently raised concerns over the protective device used by Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba after he had broken his right arm. Brazil doctor Jose Luis Runco had said that if there was any metal parts in Drogba's arm guard, he would ask for it to be banned by FIFA.
Julio Cesar injured his back while making a brilliant save from Raul Meireles' close-range shot in the 60th minute. The goalkeeper just barely touched the ball, sending it wide for a corner.
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