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Any suspension could jeopardise Neymar's chances of playing his final FIFA World Cup for Brazil. The former Barcelona star lashed on to referee Savio Pereira Sampaio after receiving a yellow card against Remo in a Brazilian Serie A game.
Santos' Neymar reacts during a Brazilian Serie A match against Remo.(AP)Neymar's dreams of making the Brazil squad for the FIFA Worl dCup 2026 took a major hit as the former Barcelona star risks a 10-match ban for sexist comments on a referee. The Brazilian football star was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's latest squad against Croatia in an international friendly and is facing an uphill task of reaching the World Cup, likely to be his last.
The incident took place during Santos' 2-0 win over Remo in Brazilian Serie A. While his one-game ban is confirmed after picking up a third yellow card in the game, Neymar's outburst at male referee Savio Pereira Sampaio didn't go well with the lawmakers.
With the 34-year-old needing to impress Ancelotti in coming days at Santos, a lengthy ban would put Neymar's final FIFA World Cup dreams into smoke. It must be noted that Neymar was fouled several times during the game. At one point, Neymar lost his cool after the break and confronted Diego Hernandez, forcing the referee to show a yellow card.
What did Neymar say?
In his outburst against Sampaio, Neymar reiterated that the card was “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 told Canal Premiere.
"That’s Savio for you; he woke up like 'Chico' (in a bad mood) and came onto the pitch in that state. 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,” added Neymar. The Brazilian was even heard laughing when he said the word 'Chico'. According to ESPN Brazil, 'Chico' is derived from the word 'chiqueiro'. It refers to the time when menstruation is associated with something filthy and impure.
Neymar's comments didn't go well with ESPN Brazil journalist Mariana Pereira, who took to social media to protest against his words. “How easy it is to replicate sexist and prejudiced expressions. For years, women have been shamed for menstruating,” she wrote.
“A simple BIOLOGICAL process seen as something dirty, hormonal fluctuations and physical pains invalidated. There are those who defend it.”
Neymar faces investigation in Brazil
Top scorer in Brazilian football history, Neymar is now facing an investigation in his own country. Last month, defender Gustavo Marques was suspended for 12 matches for his comments on a female referee. As of now, Neymar will be missing Santos' game against Flamengo.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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