Neymar Banned for Two Games Over Covering Mouth in Heated Row With Bahia Player

Santos captain Neymar has been suspended for two matches after covering his mouth during an argument with an opponent in Saturday's 1-1 Brazilian Serie A draw with Bahia, according to Brazil's Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD).

The 34-year-old was sent off following a confrontation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor. The tribunal found him guilty of breaking the Vinicius Junior rule, which prohibits players from covering their mouths during confrontations on the pitch.

The STJD also pointed to the referee's report, which stated that after being dismissed, Neymar ran toward the visitors' bench to confront his opponent and had to be held back by teammates.

In practical terms, the ban will keep Neymar out of Santos' next three matches. He was already barred from Wednesday's league game against Palmeiras because he had picked up three yellow cards. The two extra games come from the violation of the mouth-covering protocol.

Neymar and Santos have the right to appeal the decision.

The punishment arrives three months after Neymar became the first player in Brazil's top flight to be temporarily sent off under a new rule being trialed in the league to discourage time-wasting by goalkeepers. The former Brazil captain is not expected to be back in action until late November.

The rule he has now fallen foul of was approved in April by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which voted unanimously to introduce a red card for any player who covers their mouth during a confrontation with an opponent or another player on the field. The FIFA-approved change was meant to tackle inappropriate behaviour ahead of the World Cup.

It followed a UEFA Champions League match in which Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni made racially abusive remarks aimed at Vinicius Jr while pulling his jersey over his mouth to conceal what he was saying.

The rule has already had consequences at the highest level. During the World Cup, Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off at the tournament for covering his mouth, and he received a one-match suspension.