The badge, which consists of five stars representing the five World Cups won by Brazil above the letters CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), has been removed from the team's Nike shirts because it contravenes Olympic policy and officials feared it could damage Rio de Janiero's bid to follow London 2012 and host the 2016 Games.

 

Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva said: "The IOC (International Olympic Committee) determines that we shouldn't use any national identification in the jersey, only the colours of the country and the Olympic arcs, and we are abiding by this decision."

 

Brazil's Manchester United midfield player Anderson said: "This is a load of messing around.

 

"It's a pain to play without the symbol on the shirt because it imposes respect.

 

"We're five times champions of the world and we carry that on our chest.

 

"But it's a political matter and something which the players don't need to get involved in."

 

Brazil wore the badge in their 1-0 win over Belgium on Wednesday but were asked by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) to change it for the rest of the tournament, the CBF said.

 

Ronaldinho, a former world player of the year and Brazil's captain, said that it was important to help Rio's bid.

 

He said: "All the players and the Brazilian people are proud of the jersey with the five stars on it.

 

"We could still wear it, but if it gets in the way of Brazil's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, we have to understand it and accept it."

 

 

The team are due to play New Zealand today.