PSG superstar Neymar is reportedly at risk of staying at the bench for the final game of Champions League. He allegedly broke a certain rule which did not exist before the pandemic changed everything. After PSG beat Leipzig by 3 goals to 0, Neymar swapped shirt with an opponent Defender, Marcel Halstenberg.
Swapping shirts after the match is not recommended anymore according to new rules by UEFA. Neymar could face a one-match ban and 12-days of self-isolation for trading shirts with another player.
Champions League Semi Final: PSG vs RB Leipzig
As far as the match was concerned, Neymar kept an extraordinary attitude throughout the match and helped his team reach the finals. However, he was unable to score any goal despite hitting the post twice and causing many problems for the opponent defense. Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria, and Juan Bernat scored the goals for PSG.
When it came down to last 4, there were 2 German clubs (Leipzig and Bayern Munich) and 2 French Clubs (PSG and Lyon) in the semi finals. It was highly likely that an all-French or all-German final could have happened, just like last year when it was all-English final between Liverpool and Tottenham.
However the chances for all-German final are out with Leipzig. Germans have a chance to bounce back with Bayern Munich when it faces Lyon on 19th August at 8pm (Western European Summer Time).
What Was The Reaction From Football Fans?
Neymar’s presence is critical for the final match of the Champions League. This led some fans to call out his delinquency in the excitement of seeing him stay out of the finals.
The decision is still under review as the final of UEFA Champions League is on the stake. It will be a difficult wait for PSG fans
More appropriately, some fans are not bothered at all because he is a star player that attracts audience with his fancy skills. UEFA would want that kind of attention for the final especially when there would no one to buy the tickets during the pandemic
Some pointed out that the talks of the Brazilian getting banned was part of an agenda by some hater group. There were no official reports by UEFA that it will ban the forward over swapping shirts. Reportedly, he threw the shirt on the floor during excitement inside the locker room.
What Does UEFA Say About Swapping Shirts During Pandemic?
Apparently, the European authority for Football only states that players must restrict themselves from swapping shirts with each other. There is no explicit mention of a dire punishment like a ban due to which Neymar is not legally bound to comply. A sports lawyer estimated that Neymar was not subjected to any sanction which is why any ban would be unfair.
