Neymar's Champions League ban reduced to two games: Details here
Brazilian superstar Neymar has seen his three-match UEFA Champions League ban get reduced to two following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS' ruling means that Neymar will now be free to face Belgian side Bruges on October 22 in the UCL. However, as expected, he will miss the clashes against Real Madrid and Galatasaray. Here's more.
"The Sole Arbitrator partially upheld the appeal and reduced the suspension imposed by UEFA on Neymar Jr. to two (2) UEFA competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible," CAS said in a statement.
The former Barcelona forward criticized the referee and his assistants after PSG's last-16 collapse against Manchester United in March. It was a game which he watched from the stands due to injury. United were awarded a penalty deep into injury time after a protracted VAR decision. Marcus Rashford scored to knock the French giants in a dramatic fashion in Paris.
"It's a disgrace. They get four guys who don't understand football to watch a slow motion replay in front of the TV," Neymar posted on his Instagram account after the 3-1 defeat against United.
Neymar, who ruled the headlines during the European summer transfer window, played his maiden match for PSG this season last weekend. His overhead kick claimed all three points against Strasbourg. The player, who wanted to leave PSG for Barca, will remain at the club for another season. He missed the earlier games owing to the uncertainty of his future at PSG.
Meanwhile, PSG will be without the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani against Real on Wednesday. Both Mbappe and Cavani are nursing injuries. This could see new arrival Mauro Icardi get a chance to feature. It will be an interesting clash between the two sides with a lot at stake.
