French football authorities have opened an investigation into Neymar’s claim of racist abuse during a contentious 1-0 loss to Marseille on Sunday, and they banned the Paris Saint-Germain star two matches for slapping defender Alvaro Gonzalez in the back of the head during that game.
Neymar was sent off after a fight between the two sides broke out on the pitch at the conclusion of the match. He later tweeted that Gonzalez directed a racial slur at him during the game.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) disciplinary committee said it will study the TV footage of Sunday’s match to see if they can shed the light on what exactly happened between the two players.
Angel Di Maria, who has been accused by the Marseille camp of spitting on Gonzalez, has been summoned by the committee for next week, when the incident will be reviewed.
Of the punishments announced for the match-ending brawl, PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa was suspended six games for punching and kicking Marseille’s Jordan Amavi. Amavi was suspended for three matches for retaliating. PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes was handed a two-match ban and Marseille striker Dario Benedetto got one game.
Neymar, who was also given a suspended one-game ban, risked a heavier punishment and can be happy with two games. The Brazil star has already missed Wednesday’s win over Metz and will now also be in the stands for the trip to Nice on Sunday.
Paredes, who started the massive brawl, was also given a suspended one-game ban.
PSG and Marseille have yet to announce whether they plan to appeal the sanctions.
