Neymar's World Cup dream over? Brazilian star at risk of 12-match ban after sexist remarks
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Recent comments from the forward have put him under scrutiny.
A ban might put an end to Neymar’s already poor prospects of joining the Brazil team for the FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer. The 34-year-old attacker may have gotten himself into trouble after making some derogatory remarks toward a referee.
Neymar was left out of Carlo Ancelotti‘s most recent roster and hasn’t played for his nation since October 2023. However, the former FC Barcelona player is still determined to make it to the June World Cup.
After years of battling injuries in Saudi Arabia, he came home to play for his hometown team, Santos, with the hopes of regaining his greatest form. However, he is now anxiously anticipating a ban for his remarks.
Neymar makes sexist remarks towards the referee
After receiving his third yellow card in four games, Neymar got into an altercation with referee Savio Pereira Sampaio. This resulted in him missing the Flamengo game. Neymar was still furious about his yellow when he addressed the media after Santos defeated Remo 2-0.
“It’s very unfair because I was fouled from behind,” he began. “It’s very disloyal – there was no need, it was at the end of the game. And it wasn’t the first time, the third or fourth, so I only went over to complain to him and I was booked straight away.”
“Anyway, Savio is always like that. I think he woke up… [laughs] how do you say it… Woke up on his period and came to the game like that today.”
He then added: “He’s the kind of referee who wants to be the star of the game, who has a great lack of respect for all the players. It wasn’t just with me. It was with the Remo players too. He doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t want to converse.”
“This has to improve. He’s the guy who’s in charge of the game, who has to command everything. And sometimes we’ll complain, as is football, we’ll ask why, question. He needs to know how to handle that. If he handles it that way, it becomes very unpleasant, very disrespectful.”
Neymar may receive a 12-match suspension, with Brazilian football having precedent for such punishment. Due to his inappropriate remarks directed at female referee Daiane Muniz, Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marques received a 12-game suspension.
For how many games could Neymar be banned?
He could face a 12-match ban after his sexist comments.
Where do Santos stand in the table?
They are 15th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A table.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.