Brazil forward Neymar faces 12-match ban over offensive referee comments

Brazil forward Neymar is facing a potential 12-match ban for making offensive comments about a referee, threatening his chances of playing in this summer’s World Cup.

The 34-year-old launched a controversial tirade against official Savio Pereira Sampaio following Santos’ 2-0 victory over Remo.

Having picked up his third yellow card in four matches, the former Barcelona star will already miss his side’s upcoming fixture against Flamengo.

Offensive post-match remarks

A lengthy suspension now looms after the attacker suggested the match official had “woke up on his period” during a post-match media interview.

Savio is always like that. I think he woke up… how do you say it… Woke up on his period and came to the game like that today.

The veteran player also accused the referee of lacking respect for competitors and deliberately trying to be the star of the game.

Precedent for lengthy suspension

Brazilian football authorities have recently demonstrated a strict approach to discriminatory language directed towards match officials.

Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marques previously received a 12-game ban for making sexist remarks regarding female referee Daiane Muniz.

If a similar punishment is handed down, it could abruptly end the forward’s hopes of impressing national team manager Carlo Ancelotti.

World Cup aspirations at risk

He recently returned to his boyhood club Santos following a heavily injury-disrupted spell in Saudi Arabia.

The move back to South America was designed to reignite his career and secure a place in the international squad for the upcoming tournament.

Having not represented his country since October 2023, this latest disciplinary issue could prove fatal to his World Cup ambitions.