Neymar: Red Card was too harsh
PSG star Neymar was sent off during the 87th minute of Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Marseille. The young Brazilian superstar was sent off after tussling with Lucas Ocampos and picking up his second yellow card. However, there is more to the story.
The 25-year-old was targeted by both the players and the spectators, as he was fouled five times, the most for any player during the game. Neymar even delayed a free-kick as spectators threw objects at him from the grandstands. He was unhappy by the call from the referee:
“I think it was exaggerated, yes. And unfair. I spent the whole game getting enough. I have many marks on my body; It was a move I tried to continue after suffering a foul. I was annoyed at the blow from behind.”
Neymar went on to add: “The referee did what he wanted, which was to send me off and appear more than the players.”
His teammates share the criticism of the decision. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti said that he would not have kept his cool for as long as Neymar did with the treatment from the players and crowd:
“If I had been in Neymar’s shoes I would have lost it 15, 20 minutes before he did,” the Italy international said.
“Some players need to be protected,” he said.
“When I play against Barcelona the second foul I commit on [Lionel] Messi will earn me a yellow card. That’s how it works in Europe.
“You can’t kill these players for a whole game.
“I was right near him. He lost it, he didn’t even touch him, the referee was two meters away, but he decided that he’d hit Ocampos. It’s a call I don’t get.”
PSG came away with a point thanks to a free kick from Edinson Cavani. Neymar will miss the next match against Nice.