Neymar banned for covering mouth during on-pitch row

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 08:33 · Archive

Neymar has been suspended for two matches for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent.

Neymar was suspended for two matches by Brazil's Superior Court of Sports Justice on Wednesday after covering his mouth while arguing with opponent Rodrigo Nestor during Santos' 1-1 draw with Bahia on Saturday. He was sent off following the altercation and ran towards the visitors' bench to confront his opponent before being restrained by teammates.

The suspension means Neymar will miss three matches in total: one for accumulated yellow cards in Wednesday's game against Palmeiras, and two additional matches for violating the Vinicius Junior rule, a protocol that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. He is not expected to return to action until late November.

The rule was introduced following a Champions League match in which Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni made racially abusive comments towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior while covering his mouth with his shirt. Neymar and Santos can appeal the ruling.

How it is being reported

• Neymar handed two-game Santos suspension for covering mouth in argumentFormer Brazil captain Neymar sanctioned by sports tribunal for actions after his red card in match against Bahia.Al Jazeera · 29 Oct, 08:00
• Neymar banned for covering his mouth during on-pitch confrontationNeymar’s suspension was confirmed on WednesdayIndependent Sport · 28 Oct, 17:07

In this story: Neymar · Santos · Bahia · Rodrigo Nestor · Vinicius Junior · Brazil

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log