Neymar: Why PSG Star Was Booked for His Celebration Against Maccabi Haifa

• Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar was booked for celebrating his goal against Maccabi Haifa in Israel during a Champions League match
• It is not outrightly clear why he was booked but the referee might have seen the gesture as offensive to the home fans
• The referee, Danny Siebert, became the first referee to book the Brazilian for performing his trademark celebration

You often don't see players get booked for celebrating after scoring a goal. There are always rare occasions when a referee deems a celebration offensive to a particular set of fans.

Such was the rare occasion that Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar found himself in on Wednesday night. PSG were playing away in Israel against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League.

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Maccabi had taken a surprise lead before Lionel Messi sparked a comeback with PSG ending up winning 3-1 to maintain their perfect start. Neymar scored the last goal in the 88th minute after bringing down a Marco Verrati lofted pass into the area.

The Brazilian then struck what has become his trademark celebration this year, putting his thumbs to his head and sticking his tongue out.

Referee Danny Siebert was not amused by the celebration and immediately brandished a yellow card to the 30-year-old. The Brazilian was seen conversing with the official as he tried to make meaning of why he had been booked.

But, as El Futbolero reports, Siebert may have deemed the gesture as offensive to the Israeli republic. UEFA could be prompted to take further action should enough evidence suffice. However, this is highly unlikely as the Maccabi players and fans did not respond negatively to Neymar's celebrations.

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Bologna and Austria striker Marko Arnautovic has in the past been suspended for using offensive celebrations while celebrating.

How PSG beat Maccabi Haifa to make it two out of two wins in the Champions League

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were on target as Paris Saint-Germain continued their winning start to the Champions League with a comeback victory against Maccabi Haifa.

In a game that was sold out after the Champions League draw weeks ago, it was the home side that stunned their illustrious opponents when Tjarron Chery broke the game's deadlock much to the delight of the home crowd at the packed Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Maccabi were sent to seventh heaven when Frantzdy Pierrot stabbed the ball home, only for their joy to be cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag to correctly rule the goal out for offside.