Neymar hit with a 2-match ban for covering his mouth in a Brazilian league game
Brazil's Neymar looks on during the warm up ahead the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 5, 2026. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
SANTOS, Brazil — Neymar was suspended for two matches on Wednesday for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent during a Brazilian league game.
Brazil's sports tribunal handed down the suspension for the incident involving the Brazil forward in a Santos game against Bahia last weekend.
The tribunal said Neymar's actions violated a protocol that was named after Vinícius Júnior, who earlier this year accused an opponent of racially abusing him while the opponent covered his mouth with his jersey during a Champions League match.
Neymar will be out for three matches, the first for an accumulation of yellow cards and the other two for covering his mouth.
Neymar will serve his suspension for accumulated yellow cards against Palmeiras in the Brazilian league on Wednesday. He is not expected to be back in action until late November.
Neymar and Santos can appeal the suspension for covering his mouth.
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