Neymar’s UEFA Ban Reduced To Two Games
Paris Saint Germain attacker Neymar has had his three-game UEFA ban reduced to two following an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Neymar was given the ban in the aftermath of Paris Saint Germain’s exit at the hands of Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16 second leg clash at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar missed both ties of the last 16 clash through injury but was infuriated by referee Damir Skomina’s decision to award Manchester United a late penalty which was converted by Marcus Rashford to see the Red Devils progress at the expense of the French champions.
The penalty was awarded after Diogo Dalot’s goal-bound effort was adjudged to have struck Presnel Kimpembe’s arm in second half injury time.
A corner kick was initially awarded by referee Skomina, but following a Video Assistant Referee(VAR) review, a penalty was awarded instead.
The Brazilian launched an expletive rant directed at the match officials on social media and was handed the ban which PSG appealed.
UEFA dismissed PSG’s appeal but CAS has intervened to reduce the former Barcelona forward’s suspension.
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rendered its final decision in the appeal filed by the French club Paris St-Germain and the player Neymar Da Silva Santos Jr. against the decision taken by the UEFA Appeals Body on 18 June 2019," a CAS statement read.
"The player was found to have insulted match officials through social media at the end of the Champions League match Paris St-Germain vs Manchester United on 6 March 2019 and sanctioned with a 3-match suspension from UEFA competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible.
"Following an appeal filed on 18 July 2019 by both Paris St-Germain and the player, this CAS procedure was referred to a Sole Arbitrator, Prof. Ulrich Haas (Germany). A hearing was held at the CAS headquarters on 13 September 2019, during which the parties and their legal representatives were heard.
"In application of Art. 15 (1) lit. b of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations which provides for a minimum suspension of two matches in case of "abusive language" directed at a match official, the Sole Arbitrator partially upheld the appeal and reduced the suspension imposed by UEFA on Neymar Jr. to two (2) UEFA competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible."
Neymar will now sit out games against Real Madrid and Galatasaray but will be available to face Club Brugge on October 22.
