The French Ligue de Football Professionnel will convene on Wednesday "to determine suspension lengths" for the five players ejected from Sunday's PSG-Marseille brawl. PSG F Neymar, D Layvin Kurzawa and MF Leandro Paredes were expelled along with Marseille F Dario Benedetto and D Jordan Amavi. According to the French Football Federation's "disciplinary scale, which is used as a reference by Ligue 1," players face up to a seven-game suspension if found guilty of committing an "'act of violence/punch' ... outside of game action that doesn't lead to injury." The LFP's Disciplinary Commission also is likely to examine "accusations of racism" made by Neymar against Marseille D Alvaro Gonzalez. An investigation would be carried out using the "match referee's report as well as TV footage." Any racist behavior is subject to a "maximum suspension of 10 matches." (L'EQUIPE, 9/14).
Neymar shortly after the match tweeted, "It's easy for VAR to catch my 'aggression.' Now, I want it to find video of that racist [Gonzalez] calling me a monkey [expletive]." According to footage isolated and broadcast by "Telefoot" in France, Neymar was scene "manifesting to referees shortly after the thirty-minute mark, repeating the phrase, 'racism, no?!'" Several of Neymar's Brazilian compatriots "offered him support" following the accusations, including former PSG D Dani Alves, while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro "retweeted" Neymar's post-match tweet (L'EQUIPE, 9/14). Gonzalez in response to the accusations said, "There's no place for racism. ... Sometimes you need to learn how to lose and deal with it on the pitch. An incredible three points" (L'EQUIPE, 9/14).
"Telefoot" on Monday said that it "didn't have any footage to support Neymar's accusations." The channel's Thibault Le Rol explained, "There was an insult." But he added, "We're not able to confirm Neymar's account with the footage we have" (L'EQUIPE, 9/14). PSG on Monday released a statement saying it "strongly supports" Neymar," adding it is "looking forward" the LFP's investigation (PSG).
