Neymar could be hit with a Champions League ban after UEFA opened an investigation into his foul-mouthed social media outburst about the refereeing during Paris Saint-Germain’s controversial exit to Manchester United last week.
Injured Brazil forward Neymar insulted the referee on Instagram after watching on incredulous from the sidelines at the Parc des Princes as United were awarded a decisive stoppage-time penalty for a debatable handball via the video assistant referee system, allowing Marcus Rashford to fire United into the quarter-finals on away goals.
The Premier League outfit were given the spot-kick after Presnel Kimpembe was judged to have handled Diogo Dalot’s shot, a decision that on Friday UEFA maintained was correct due to the distance the ball travelled before hitting Kimpembe’s arm and the PSG defender’s body position.
Neymar was so reportedly enraged by the decision to give the penalty that he had to be restrained by PSG staff to stop him entering their dressing room.
In a statement, UEFA announced a disciplinary investigation “has been initiated in connection with the comments made on social media by the Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar following the above-mentioned match”.
If found guilty the 27-year-old risks being suspended during the early rounds of next year’s Champions League, for which runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG are certain to qualify.
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