Neymar handed two-match ban for covering mouth during Santos clash
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineBrazilian forward Neymar has been handed a two-match suspension for covering his mouth during a confrontation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor, in an incident that breached football’s controversial ‘Vinicius Junior rule’.
The Santos captain was sent off during his side’s 1-1 draw against Bahia on Saturday following a heated exchange with Nestor.
Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) subsequently imposed the two-match ban for the protocol violation, according to Reuters.
The referee’s report also stated that Neymar charged towards the Bahia bench after receiving his red card and had to be restrained by his teammates.
The confrontation sparked further controversy after the final whistle, with Nestor accusing the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward of making disrespectful remarks.
“What he said to me was highly disrespectful – both toward me and toward the Bahia jersey,” the Bahia midfielder said.
Neymar denied directing verbal abuse at Nestor but acknowledged that covering his mouth was a mistake. He accused the Bahia player of provoking the confrontation and described his opponent’s alleged conduct as “one of the dirtiest tricks in football”.
Bahia also issued a statement condemning the alleged abuse.
The ‘Vinicius Junior rule’ was unanimously approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in April.
It requires a player to be shown a red card for covering their mouth during a confrontation, with the measure aimed at preventing players from concealing abusive language.
The rule followed an incident in the Champions League involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, during which Prestianni allegedly racially abused the Brazilian while covering his mouth.
The regulation has also been applied at international level, with Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron receiving a one-match suspension during the World Cup for a similar offence.
Neymar’s latest disciplinary setback comes three months after he became the first player in Brazil’s top flight to face temporary removal under a trial targeting goalkeeper time-wasting.
The forward is now expected to miss Santos’ next three fixtures after the two-match ban for the protocol violation and a separate one-game suspension for accumulating three yellow cards. He is expected to return to action in late November.
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Santos have the right to appeal the STJD decision.
Neymar’s absence comes at a crucial stage of the Brazilian Serie A campaign, with Santos having six matches remaining.
The club sit eighth in the table, with a 12-point cushion above the relegation zone, and will now have to pursue a strong finish without their captain.
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