Santos captain Neymar has been handed a two-match suspension for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent during SaturdayâÂÂs 1-1 Brazilian Serie A draw with Bahia, BrazilâÂÂs Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) said.
The 34-year-old was sent off following an altercation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor, and the sports tribunal found him guilty of violating the Vinicius Junior rule that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
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The STJD said the refereeâÂÂs report also noted that Neymar, after being sent off, ran towards the visitorsâ bench to confront his opponent and had to be restrained by teammates.
The suspension means Neymar will miss Santosâ next three matches. He is already banned for WednesdayâÂÂs league game against Palmeiras after accumulating three yellow cards and will serve two additional matches for the protocol violation.
Neymar and Santos can appeal the ruling.
The latest suspension comes three months after Neymar became the first player in BrazilâÂÂs top flight to be temporarily removed from the field under a new rule being tested in the league to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers.
The former Brazil captain is not expected to return to action until late November.
Rule against covering mouths
In April, the International Football Association âÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂBoard (IFAB) unanimously approved a rule whereby a red card would be given to football players who covered their mouths during a confrontation with an opponent or any other player on the pitch.
The FIFA-approved amendment was passed to address inappropriate behaviour before the World Cup.
It followed a UEFA Champions League match âÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂâÂÂwhere BenficaâÂÂs Gianluca Prestianni made racially abusive comments directed at Vinicius Jr while pulling his jersey up over his mouth to hide what he was saying.
During the World Cup, Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron was given a one-match suspension after he became the first player to be sent off at the tournament for covering his mouth.