Neymar sent off under the “Vinícius law” after 1-1 draw

“Look… the ‘Vinícius law’ brings Neymar down in the Brazilian league”: that phrase accompanied a match that ended in a 1-1 draw between Neymar and Nestor. Before the second half began, Neymar provoked Nestor, a Bahia player, during a heated exchange. Neymar covered his mouth with his hand while speaking, a gesture Nestor immediately reported to the referee.

After consulting the video assistant referee (VAR), the referee showed Neymar a direct red card. The decision applied a rule adopted before the 2026 World Cup, which prohibits players from covering their mouths during verbal altercations. The rule is intended to curb verbal insults and behaviour considered contrary to sportsmanship.

The rule was adopted after Gianluca Prestianni, a Benfica player, was accused of directing a racist insult at Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. In Neymar’s case, the sending-off followed his gesture of covering his mouth while speaking with Nestor.

Neymar had already received his third yellow card in the first half, following earlier contact with Rodrigo Nestor. He will therefore miss Santos’ next two matches: the first because of an accumulation of yellow cards, and the second as a result of his direct red card.

As he left the pitch, Neymar tried to come to blows with Nestor. Later, in front of the media and cameras, he accused the Bahia player of deliberately provoking and setting him up to get him punished. On Instagram, Neymar described the situation as serious and said Nestor had tried to exploit a rule against racism. He said he was very sad and accused his opponent of acting deceitfully.

The Brazilian star also said he could not repeat what had been said because children were watching. He disputed Nestor’s reaction after being struck by the ball and accused him of acting. Neymar ended by questioning the example his opponent was setting and recalling that he too had received an education.

After the sending-off, Neymar told Nestor that he would sleep “with a clear mind and a peaceful conscience”, unlike him, in Neymar’s words. The match remained a 1-1 draw, while the dismissal and the two announced absences will affect Santos’ next fixtures.