Neymar risks 12-match ban and hefty fine after 'misogynistic' outburst at referee

Former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar may be set to receive up to a 12-game ban after being accused of sexist comments following Santos’ 2–0 win over Remo on Thursday (2 April).

A few weeks on from being left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the March internationals, Neymar may once again be in line to receive some further bad news.

Following Santos’ Serie A victory over Remo at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, the 34-year-old was interviewed by Brazilian media and took the opportunity to criticise referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio, who brandished a yellow card to the former Barcelona man, meaning he is banned for Santos’ trip to Flamengo on Sunday (5 April).

“This card is unfair. I was on the receiving end of a dangerous, unnecessary tackle at the end of the match. It wasn’t the first, but the third or fourth. I went to protest and received a yellow card,” Neymar said.

“That’s Sávio for you; he woke up kind of ‘on his period’ and came onto the pitch in that state.

Neymar slammed a referee (Credit:Getty)

“He wants to be the star of the match. He’s incredibly disrespectful to the players; he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t discuss anything. He’s the kind of guy who dictates the game, who wants to control everything.

“He needs to learn to manage that; it’s disrespectful.”

It should be noted that Neymar spoke in Brazilian Portuguese.

Following his rant, ESPN Brazil journalist Mariana Pereira criticised the forward on X, writing (translated from Portuguese to English): “How easy it is to replicate sexist and prejudiced expressions. For years, women have been shamed for menstruating, a simple biological process seen as something dirty, with hormonal fluctuations and physical pain invalidated. There are those who defend it.”

If Neymar is found guilty of breaking federation rules, he may be subject to a 12-game ban.

A similar incident occurred in March, when Red Bull Bragantino defender Marques was handed a 30,000 Brazilian real (£5,700) fine for his comments about female referee Daiane Muniz, while also receiving a 12-game ban.

Reports from Brazil claim that Neymar will be subject to an investigation and, if found guilty of an offence, may receive a ban of between five and 10 matches, which would further dent his chances of impressing Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup this summer.