UEFA rejects PSG’s appeal over Neymar ban

By News Desk

NYON: Disciplinary chiefs have rejected Paris St Germain’s appeal against Brazilian star Neymar’s three-match European ban for insulting match officials.

The 27-year-old was punished over social comments made in the wake of his side’s controversial 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United in March which denied them a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. PSG challenged the decision, but UEFA’s appeals body has thrown out their claim.

A UEFA statement said: “The appeal lodged by Paris St Germain is rejected. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 25 April is confirmed. The CEDB had decided to suspend the Paris St Germain player Neymar Junior for three (3) UEFA competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible, for insulting match officials.”

Neymar was injured for the game, in which the French club was defending a 2-0 first leg lead, and watched from the sidelines as Marcus Rashford sent United through on away goals from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after a VAR decision had adjudged that Presnel Kimpembe had handled Diogo Dalot’s shot. The Brazilian later wrote on social media: “This is a disgrace, they put four people that know nothing about football in charge of looking at the replay for VAR. There is no penalty. How can it be a handball when it hits his back!” He then wrote an expletive. Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from PSG this summer, will be suspended for the first half of the group stage of next season’s Champions League as a result.