Brazil’s sports tribunal bans Neymar for two matches over mouth-covering

Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) has imposed a two-match suspension on Santos captain Neymar for covering his mouth during an argument with an opponent. The tribunal found that he violated the Vinicius Junior protocol, Al Jazeera said.

Neymar was sent off after an altercation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor during Saturday’s 1–1 draw in Brazil’s Serie A. The STJD said the referee’s report recorded that Neymar then ran towards the visitors’ bench to confront Nestor and had to be restrained by teammates.

The tribunal’s disciplinary commission imposed the suspension by majority vote on October 28, Brazilian sports outlet ge said.

What the mouth-covering rule prohibits

In April, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved a rule providing a red card for players who cover their mouths during an on-field confrontation with an opponent or another player. FIFA also approved the amendment.

Al Jazeera linked the change to an earlier Champions League incident in which it said Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni allegedly directed racist comments at Vinicius Junior while covering his mouth with his shirt.

Three fixtures covered, with an appeal possible

The two-match punishment is distinct from Neymar’s suspension for accumulating three yellow cards, which applied to the Palmeiras fixture scheduled for October 28. Al Jazeera puts the combined absence at three Santos matches.

Neymar and Santos can appeal the ruling. Al Jazeera expects a late-November return; the November 22 home match against Grêmio is the first fixture after the three absences in the published schedule, making it a possible return rather than a confirmed appearance.