Neymar’s chances of being selected for Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, already slim, could be wiped out by his suspension. The 34-year-old forward may have come under fire after making nasty comments about the referee after Santos’ 2-0 win over Remo.
Despite the victory, Neymar was furious after the match due to a collision with referee Savio Pereira Sampaio, received his third yellow card in four games, and was suspended for the next game against Flamengo. He is currently awaiting backlash for his comments, but a suspension is likely to end his already slim hopes for the World Cup in Brazil.
“It’s very unfair that I got fouled from behind. It’s very dishonest. There was no need for it and it was towards the end of the game. And it wasn’t the first time, it wasn’t the third or fourth time, so I just went to complain to him and I was immediately booked.”
“Anyway, Savio is like that all the time. I think he woke up… (laughs) I mean… I woke up with my period and I came to the game like that today,” he added. “He’s the type of referee who wants to be the star of the game, and he has a huge lack of respect for all the players. It wasn’t just for me, it was for Remo’s players as well. He doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t want to have a conversation.”
“This has to improve. He is the guy who is in charge of the game and has to direct everything. Just like in football, sometimes we will complain. Why, we will question. He needs to know how to deal with it. If he deals with it like that, it will be very unpleasant and very rude.”
Neymar could face a 12-game ban, as there is established precedent for such penalties in Brazilian football. If he misses out on such a crucial period, Carlo Ancelotti will have no choice but to remain excluded from the national team.
Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marquez has been suspended for 12 games for making sexist comments towards female referee Diane Muniz. “I don’t think the FPF (São Paulo Football Federation) should appoint a female referee considering a match of this size,” coach Marquez said.
With all due respect to women around the world – I’m married and a mother – I apologize if I spoke ill of a woman, but I don’t think she is capable of officiating this match.” Marquez later apologized, but authorities took a hard look at his sexist comments.
