Neymar’s hopes of making Brazil’s World Cup squad have been put at further risk amid reports he faces a 10-match ban over sexist comments.
The Brazilian icon is already facing an uphill battle to reach this summer’s World Cup, which he admits would be his last.
Neymar was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s latest squad, his final selection before he names his travelling party to the tournament.
With the 34-year-old needing to impress for Santos in the coming weeks, Neymar could have put pay to any lingering hopes if he receives a lengthy ban.
Neymar had lashed out at male referee Savio Pereira Sampaio after Santos’ 2-0 win over Remo in Brazil’s Serie A, but will receive a one-game ban after picking up a third yellow card in four games.
‘This card is unfair, I was on the receiving end of a dangerous, unnecessary tackle at the end of the match. It wasn’t the first, but the third or fourth. I went to protest and received a yellow card,’ Neymar began.
Neymar could be hit with a lengthy suspension after being accused of sexist comments in a post-match interview
A ban would damage Neymar’s already faint hopes of making Brazil’s World Cup squad
‘That’s Savio for you; he woke up kind of ‘on his period’ and came onto the pitch in that state.
‘He wants to be the star of the match, he’s incredibly disrespectful to the players, he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t discuss anything, he’s the kind of guy who dictates the game, who wants to control everything.
‘He needs to learn to manage that, it’s disrespectful.’
Neymar was heard laughing as he said ‘de chico’ during his post-match interview.
According to ESPN Brazil, ‘de chico’ derives from ‘chiqueiro’ – meaning pigsty – and refers to a time when menstruation was associated with something filthy and impure.’
ESPN Brazil journalist Mariana Pereira was among those to criticise Neymar’s remarks on social media.
‘How easy it is to replicate sexist and prejudiced expressions. For years, women have been shamed for menstruating,’ she wrote.
‘A simple BIOLOGICAL process seen as something dirty, hormonal fluctuations and physical pains invalidated. There are those who defend it.’
Neymar is Brazil’s top scorer in history and still believes he will make the World Cup squad
According to reports in Brazil, Neymar now faces an investigation over his comments and could receive a suspension of between five to 10 matches if he is found to have made a discriminatory comment, as well as criticising the referee.
Last month, defender Gustavo Marques was suspended for 12 matches after having been found to have made sexist comments about a female referee.
Any suspension would damage the chance Neymar, who is yet to comment following the controversy, could prove his form to Ancelotti to force his way back into the Brazil squad.
Due to his existing one-match ban ruling him out this weekend, Neymar would only have 10 matches remaining to show his form and fitness before Ancelotti must name his provisional World Cup squad on May 11.
Neymar, who has not featured for the Selecao since October 2023, admitted last month he was ‘sad and upset’ not to have made the squad for friendlies against France and Croatia.
‘I’m going to speak because I can’t stay silent,’ he told MadHouseTV after a Kings League game.
‘Obviously, I’m upset and sad about not being called up, but my focus remains the same: day after day, training session after training session, match after match.
‘We will achieve our goal,’ he went on to add, in reference to making Ancelotti’s final squad for the World Cup this summer.
