️ Santos captain Neymar has reportedly been handed a two-match suspension by Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) after allegedly covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent during a 1-1 draw against Bahia. The 34-year-old player was shown a red card following a heated altercation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor.

️ The sports tribunal concluded that the veteran player violated the strict 'Vinicius Junior rule', which explicitly forbids footballers from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. Furthermore, the referee’s official report allegedly noted that after being sent off, Neymar attempted to charge towards the opposing team's bench and had to be physically restrained by his teammates.

️ Consequently, the suspension ensures that Neymar will miss three consecutive matches for Santos, as he was already ruled out due to accumulated yellow cards. Both the player and the club reportedly retain the right to appeal the disciplinary tribunal's ruling in the coming days.

️ The measure stems from broader international football regulations approved by the IFAB, designed to crack down on inappropriate behavior and alleged verbal abuse during matches. Similar strict protocols have previously resulted in disciplinary actions at both continental and international tournaments.

Source: www.aljazeera.com