Neymar criticized referee Savio Pereira Sampaio after Santos' match against Remo, which Santos won 2-0. According to SVT Sport, Neymar described the referee's behavior in derogatory terms, suggesting he was disrespectful. Neymar's comments have caused criticism in Brazil and on social media, with accusations of sexism, according to official sources.
Major media reports indicate Neymar is facing a possible 12-match ban for his remarks, though the length of any potential ban remains uncertain, and Brazilian football authorities have not yet issued an official response. In a press conference, Neymar said the referee's actions were unfair and disrespectful, emphasizing the lack of communication, according to Fotbollskanalen. This controversy follows recent match incidents involving Neymar at Santos.
He must have his period.
Neymar received a yellow card in Santos' match against Remo. Major media reports also indicate Neymar clashed with a fan after Santos' 1-1 draw with Recoleta, though it is unclear whether this will result in any disciplinary action. There is a precedent for severe punishment for sexist comments in Brazilian football.
Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marques received a 12-match ban for making sexist comments towards a female referee. This case highlights the potential consequences Neymar might face, though whether he will receive a ban is still unknown. Neymar's omission from the Brazil national team and recent career context add to the scrutiny.
It's really unfair. I got a dirty, completely unnecessary, tackle from behind at the end of the match. It wasn't the first time, but the third or fourth.
Neymar was omitted from Brazil's latest national team squad selected by Carlo Ancelotti. Major media reports indicate Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025 after a spell at Al-Hilal, and he has not played for Brazil since October 2023. Whether Carlo Ancelotti will select Neymar for Brazil's World Cup squad remains an open question.
The potential ban could impact Neymar's availability for Santos in upcoming matches, adding to the significance of the disciplinary review.
You should train more. You're a fat b*****d!
Do I have to do everything myself? Shut your f***ing mouth, please!
How do you expect me to respect you if you don’t respect me?
I retorted because of the way he spoke to me. I understand the fans who criticise our game, but when it becomes personal, I won't accept it.
It’s very unfair because I was fouled from behind. It’s very disloyal - there was no need, it was at the end of the game. And it wasn’t the first time, the third or fourth, so I only went over to complain to him and I was booked straight away.
Anyway, Savio is always like that. I think he woke up… [laughs] how do you say it… Woke up on his period and came to the game like that today.
He’s the kind of referee who wants to be the star of the game, who has a great lack of respect for all the players. It wasn’t just with me. It was with the Remo players too. He doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t want to converse.
It's unfair. I got a dirty tackle at the end of the match completely unnecessarily. It wasn't the first tackle, it was the third or fourth. I went to the referee to complain and got a yellow card.
He wants to be the star of the match, he is very disrespectful towards the players, he doesn't want to talk. He doesn't want to chat and he wants to decide absolutely everything. He needs to learn to handle it. It becomes disrespectful.