Neymar could miss Barcelona’s El Clasico clash with Real Madrid after his sending off against Malaga.
The Brazilian forward was shown a bizarre yellow card in the first-half for tying his boot laces next to the ball, stopping the hosts from taking a free-kick in the process. He was then given a second booking and dismissed for a foul on Malaga defender Diego Llorente.
But it was Neymar’s actions after he was sent off by referee Jesus Gil Manzano that could see him absent for the clash against Real on April 23.
Gil Manzano’s report read: ‘In the 65th minute player (No 11) Da Silva Santos J, Neymar was sent off for the following reason: second yellow’.
The referee added: ‘After being sent off and when he was heading towards the tunnel to the dressing rooms, he applauded the fourth official’.
Neymar will serve an automatic one-match suspension against Real Sociedad, but La Liga’s rules mean that ban could be extended.
Players found to have shown contempt to referees, under article 117 of the disciplinary guidelines, are given a further two to three match ban.
If his applause is judged to have been sarcastic and Neymar is slapped with a further ban, it would rule him out for the title-race defining game at the Santiago Bernabeu, which follows the Sociedad clash.
Manager Luis Enrique criticised Manzano’s decision making after the game.
‘There were nasty tackles from behind that didn’t earn bookings, while other fouls committed by us were,’ Enrique said.
‘The rules are to be interpreted, but they should be the same for all.’
Source:Dailymailsport
