Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 5y

Neymar appeal over 3-match UCL ban rejected

Paris Saint-Germain's appeal over Neymar's three-match Champions League suspension for "insulting match officials" after the 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United in last season's round of 16 has been rejected.

The Ligue 1 giants were knocked out on away goals after a late penalty was awarded to the Premier League outfit via the video assistant referee, which prompted an angry outburst from the Brazil international on Instagram.

- When is the Champions League group-stage draw?

Neymar, 27, could only watch from the Parc des Princes stands and later the touchline as PSG threw away a 2-0 first leg lead from Old Trafford to an injury-ravaged United side to prolong their wait for a first Champions League quarterfinal appearance since 2016.

He will now miss half of next campaign's group phase, whether that is with the French champions or not, and sources have told ESPN FC that PSG are open to selling their No. 10 this summer.

The source said that Les Parisiens anticipate an offer from Neymar's former club Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United. Sources close have told ESPN FC a return to Camp Nou "could be doable but will not be simple."

This came after PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi took a hard line with Neymar in an interview with France Football, where he said "nobody forced him to sign" for the capital club.

PSG signed Gianluigi Buffon on a free transfer last summer, despite the Italian goalkeeper's three-match Champions League ban, and the 41-year-old has since departed after just one term.

Neymar is also set to discover this week whether or not he has been successful in a bid to overturn a domestic suspension which could rule him out of the French season-opening Trophee des Champions clash with Rennes in Shenzhen, China.

^ Back to Top ^