Kaka: Discipline concerns
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Johannesburg - Brazilian playmaker Kaka is used to being at the top of the scoring charts and heading lists of the best players in the world.
Despite his clean-cut image as a devout Christian and family man, in this World Cup it's Kaka's disciplinary record that is turning heads.
Another yellow card in Brazil's 3-0 win against Chile on Monday added to his red card against Ivory Coast in the group stage.
Kaka shrugged when asked why referees seemed to be targeting him and said the yellow card he received after half an hour against Chile was "a normal foul".
He was "worried" that further bookings could rule him out of matches in the latter stages of the tournament, although all players have their records wiped clean after the quarterfinals.
Kaka is hardly one of football's dirty players - his red card against Ivory Coast was his first for the national team and one his coach Dunga branded "completely unfair".
The second yellow card that earned his early exit was shown for raising his arm against Kader Keita, though Kaka was not looking at his rival and seemed to be protecting himself rather than attacking the Ivorian.
The suspension meant Kaka was forced to sit out his side's final group game, a 0-0 draw against Portugal, though Brazil had already qualified.
Monday's yellow card against Chile also was for a seemingly innocuous challenge as a Chile player cut inside him. Kaka trailed a leg, but the foul looked clumsy rather than malicious. Nonetheless, English referee Howard Webb took out his book.
"It was a normal foul and the first foul I did in the match," Kaka said. "I don't know why the referees are taking an interest in me.
"I was a bit worried about getting another yellow card," Kaka said. "Another card would put me out of another game."
Dunga said he would talk to Kaka about the situation but insisted referees were targeting the wrong players.
"Yes, it is a problem. I don't want Kaka to be left suspended," he said.
"The technical players are punished and those who commit fouls always aren't. This already started happening in the first round and it's lamentable."
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