Neymar handed two-game Santos suspension for covering mouth in argument
Former Brazil captain Neymar sanctioned by sports tribunal for actions after his red card in match against Bahia.
Santos captain Neymar has been handed a two-match suspension for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent during Saturday’s 1-1 Brazilian Serie A draw with Bahia, Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) said.
The 34-year-old was sent off following an altercation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor, and the sports tribunal found him guilty of violating the Vinicius Junior rule that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
The STJD said the referee’s report also noted that Neymar, after being sent off, ran towards the visitors’ bench to confront his opponent and had to be restrained by teammates.
The latest suspension comes three months after Neymar became the first player in Brazil’s top flight to be temporarily removed from the field under a new rule being tested in the league to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers.