Discipline

Neymar will not face suspension for racism allegation

The Brazilian and his Marseille counterpart, Alvaro Gonzalez, both faced unproven verdicts and will not be handed further punishment

 
8:36am on Thursday 1st October 2020
By
Paul Macdonald

Neymar, and his fellow antagonist Alvaro Gonzalez, have been cleared of using racing language and will not be suspended further following their altercation during the PSV v Marseille clash earlier this month.

In a tempestuous affair at the Parc des Princes, five players were sent off during a mass brawl between the sides, including Neymar, who punched Alvaro on the back of the head and claimed that he had been described as 'a monkey' by the defender during the contest.

There have been claims and counter-claims, with Neymar also accused of using offensive language to l'OM defender Hiroki Sakai.

French TV stations were regularly sharing video footage in an attempt to establish what was said, particularly in the wake of Angel Di Maria's four-game ban issued last week for spitting in the direction of Alvaro in the same contest.

But the LFP believe the evidence isn't substantial enough to proceed, saying in a statement: "After examining the file, hearing the players and the representatives of the clubs, the Commission notes that it does not have sufficient convincing evidence to allow it to establish the materiality of the facts of discriminatory remarks by the player Alvaro Gonzalez against Neymar during the meeting nor of Neymar against Alvaro Gonzalez.

"Consequently, the Commission decides that there is no reason for sanction."

The sanction will come as a surprise to many, given the nature of the incident and how the match was perceived around the world.

Nevertheless, Neymar and Alvaro, who may have been expecting lengthy bans, as free to compete without any further ruling.

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