Lyon's Thiago Mendes and his family have received death threats after the midfielder injured Paris-Saint Germain superstar Neymar.
The Brazilian received a red card for his challenge during the last few minutes of Lyon's 1-0 win on Sunday, with Neymar leaving the field on a stretcher.
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His injury isn't said to be serious, but initial images didn't look promising and it prompted a disgusting response.
Mendes' wife, Kelly, read out one message the pair received to CNEWS and it said: "For your boyfriend's actions, if anything happens to Neymar, you will pay with your life. You and your family, one by one."
Lyon manager Rudi Garcia has condemned the abuse and backed up the 28-year-old, who he says only had eyes for the ball.
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"Thiago has received many death threats, and they shouldn't exist," Garcia told a press conference per Goal. "Today, we allow ourselves to easily insult or say horrible things.
"Thiago Mendes was sent off in Paris. I don't like the buzz around that, he attacked the ball. He was unfortunate that Neymar's foot remained under his buttock."
Mendes took to Instagram to apologise to Neymar earlier this week and said per Globoesporte: "Like the Brazilian people, I also admire his football and I hope that nothing serious has happened.
"May he recover quickly and bring joy to the fan. Here again is my sincere apologies"
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Neymar's father was furious with the tackle and called for more referees to protect his son, who has suffered a number of injuries in the last two years.
"F***... how much longer," he vented on social media. "We have spoken about this so much, we have so underlined the excess of violence.
"Why not stop it at the start, with the first foul, why wait until the 7th, 8th, 9th?
"We are not taking the necessary measures throughout the entire match, during which Neymar was the victim of a dozen fouls, always violent ones.
"This encourages these type of players and attitudes. Continue like this and football will really lose a lot... FOR HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THE VICTIM BE THE ONE AT FAULT?
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"It is up to the person who controls the match, the person who has the opportunity to protect... ahh... What can we do? I hope that God looks after you."
Featured Image Credit: Thiago Mendes/Instagram & PA ImagesTopics: Football News, Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Ligue 1, PSG, Neymar, Lyon