PSG star, Neymar had reported to the fourth official during the club Ligue 1 clash Olympique Marseille bout a racist comment made towards him.
Neymar was among the five players red-carded in the melee that occurred in the injury time of the match PSG lost 1-0. The Paris club is yet to record a point in this season’s Ligue 1, having lost their first game 1-0 against promoted Lens.
Meanwhile, a source has told the ESPN that a Ligue 1 discipline committee will look into allegations.
Neymar was issued a red card for slapping Alvaro Gonzalez behind his head after VAR caught him in the act. He further claimed that he was subjected to racist abuse, leading to the matching order.
VAR pegar a minha “agressão” é mole … agora eu quero ver pegar a imagem do racista me chamando de “MONO HIJO DE PUTA” (macaco filha da puta)… isso eu quero ver!
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) September 13, 2020
E aí? CARRETILHA vc me pune.. CASCUDO sou expulso… e eles? E aí ?
According to ESPN, the committee will be also be examining the possibility of launching an investigation into allegations that PSG’s Angel Di Maria spat on Marseille player Alvaro Gonzalez.
The committee is billed to meet on Wednesday to assess the sending off and the report of referee Jerome Brisard.
The French Federation’s rules say that “an act of brutality or a kick” could be punished by a seven-game ban. Racist behaviour could be a maximum of 10 matches while being found guilty of spitting could earn a player a six-game ban.
PSG supports Neymar
PSG in supporting the Brazilian star, issued a statement on Wednesday, saying there is no place for racism in society, football, and our lives. It, therefore, asked everyone to speak out against all types of racism.
The club also expressed confidence in the LFP’s disciplinary commission to investigate and clarify what happened.
“The club are willing to collaborate in any way needed to advance the investigations.”
Neymar also released another statement on Instagram acussing the officials of not helping when the help was called for.
“In our sport, aggressions, insults, swearing, are part of the game. Of the dispute. You can’t be affectionate. I understand this guy partly. All is a part of the game. But racism and intolerance are unacceptable.
“I am Black, son of Black, grandson and great-grandson of Black also. I am proud and I do not see myself as different from anyone. Yesterday I wanted those in charge of the game (referees, assistants) to position themselves impartially and understand that there is no longer such a place for a prejudiced attitude,” part of the statement reads.
Marseille also reacts
Marseille had also in a statement condemned racism.
“Olympique de Marseille is the very symbol of anti-racism in French professional sports given the history and that of the city of Marseille. Alvaro Gonzalez is not racist and he has shown that in his daily behaviour from his first day at this club and his teammates can attest to that as well.
“The club places themselves at the disposition of the disciplinary commission to collaborate fully in the investigation of all of the occurrences that were part of the match as well as the 24 hours prior to it,” the statement read.
