Neymar has hit out at the “lack of respect” shown to him by a referee during Paris Saint-Germain ’s Champions League victory over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday.
The Brazilian forward was among the goalscorers alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe as the French champions secured a 3-1 victory despite having initially gone behind. Neymar’s strike was effectively the clincher as he got on the end of Marco Verratti’s lofted ball to score in the 88th minute of the game.
However, his delight was then quickly cut short as his celebration, when he put his hands out on either side of his head in the direction of the crowd and stuck his tongue out, was met with a yellow card from the referee.
Neymar took considerable exception to his punishment by claiming that the officials did not show him respect. Taking to Twitter after the game, he wrote: “Total lack of respect for the athlete. This kind of thing can't happen. I take the yellow for simply not having done anything and I continue to be harmed. And the judge? Not even to say he was wrong, he will! a lot of lack of respect.”
The former Barcelona star also complained to journalists after the clash and claimed that the actions of the referee had taken the entertainment out of the game but that he has had a conversation about the incident.
Speaking to the media, he said: “I just met the referee and talked to him. He apologized. But now I already have the yellow card. This is a complete lack of respect for the players. The referees have to be there to protect us.
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“What happened to me today is very sad. Football is getting boring and we can't celebrate. This is a lack of respect not only for me, but for football.”
Regardless of Neymar’s protestations, his goal against Maccabi Haifa sees him extend his thrilling start to the new campaign.
The 30-year-old has 11 goals and seven assists to his name in all competitions already having only failed to find the net in just one game so far this season - that being a 3-0 victory over Nantes earlier this month.
His form is certainly to be noted considering the Brazilian was linked with an exit from the Parc des Princes in the summer transfer window - former club Barcelona and Premier League outfit Chelsea having been linked with a move for his services.
Thanks in part to Neymar’s form, PSG currently find themselves top of their Champions League group ahead of Italian giants Juventus courtesy of their head-to-head record.
Meanwhile, Christophe Galtier’s men lead the early Ligue 1 standings having won six of their opening seven matches.
