Neymar could be BANNED for 10 matches following ‘sexist’ comments amid World Cup headache

Neymar is facing a potential match ban after making controversial comments about a referee that have been labelled as sexist.

The 34-year-old Brazilian forward made the remarks during a post-match interview following Santos’ 2-0 victory over Remo on Friday, April 2, in the Brazilian Serie A.

Neymar was unhappy with referee Savio Pereira Sampaio’s decisions, particularly a yellow card he received for protesting a late tackle. He accused the official of wanting to be the “star of the match” and being disrespectful to players.

Most notably, Neymar claimed the referee “woke up kind of ‘on his period’”, using an expression widely considered offensive and sexist in Brazil as it derogatorily links menstruation to irrational behaviour.

“This card is unfair. I was on the receiving end of a dangerous, unnecessary tackle at the end of the match. It wasn’t the first, but the third or fourth. I went to protest and received a yellow card.That’s Savio for you; he woke up kind of ‘on his period’ and came onto the pitch in that state. He wants to be the star of the match, he’s incredibly disrespectful to the players, he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t discuss anything, he’s the kind of guy who dictates the game, who wants to control everything. He needs to learn to manage that, it’s disrespectful.”

Neymar was heard laughing while saying the slang phrase “de chico” (or “acordou de chico”), a Brazilian expression that crudely implies someone is moody or irrational because they are “on their period.” He used it to describe the male referee, Sávio Pereira Sampaio

The comments have drawn sharp criticism, with ESPN Brazil journalist Mariana Pereira highlighting how such remarks perpetuate prejudice against women by shaming a natural biological process.

According to the Daily Mail, Neymar faces a potential ban of 5-10 matches for the discriminatory/sexist comments made about referee Savio Pereira Sampaio.

No official announcement has been made yet, but Brazilian football authorities are reportedly investigating the matter.

Precedent shows similar offences have resulted in heavy punishments, with defender Gustavo Marques recently receiving a 12-match ban for sexist remarks about a female referee.

A suspension of between five and ten matches would represent a major setback for the Brazilian icon’s hopes of adding to his record 79 international goals and appearing in what he has called his last World Cup.

The incident comes at a critical time for Neymar as he battles to earn a place in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, which many believe could be his final appearance on the international stage.

The former Barcelona and PSG star has not played for the Selecao since October 2023 and was omitted from coach Carlo Ancelotti’s latest squad.

Already serving a one-match suspension for accumulating yellow cards, a lengthy ban would leave Neymar with very few games to impress before Ancelotti names his provisional World Cup squad on May 11.

The Santos forward has been working hard to regain fitness and form after injury-plagued years.