Neymar Lashes Out at Match Referee Who Booked Him for Doing His Trademark Celebration

Neymar Lashes Out at Match Referee Who Booked Him for Doing His Trademark Celebration

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:11 PM
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  • Neymar as slammed the match official who chose to book him for performing his trademark celebration style
  • Daniel Siebert appeared to be convinced that Neymar's gesture was offensive and proceeded to book the Brazilian
  • In a series of tweets, Neymar has questioned the referee's respect for professional athletes like himself

Paris Saint Germain forward Neymar has now come out guns blazing at match referee Daniel Siebert who booked him for doing his celebration.

The two had a brief argument after Siebert chose to yellow card Neymar after the Brazilian had scored PSG's third goal.

Neymar, Daniel Siebert, Maccabi Haifa, PSG, booked, celebration, Champions League
Neymar argues with match official Danny Siebert during PSG's game against Maccabi Haifa. Photo by Jack Guez.
Source: Getty Images

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Siebert was officiating PSG's game against Maccabi Haifa in Israel where Neymar played the full 90 minutes.

After the game, Neymar took to social media to question the referee's decision.

Total lack of respect for the athlete. This kind of thing can’t happen. I have done nothing wrong yet I have been yellow carded and I continue to be harmed. And the judge? Not even to say he was wrong A lot of lack of respect.

Going after match officials have often put players on collision paths with administrative bodies and Neymar could find himself in trouble if UEFA decides to pursue the matter.

Why was he booked?

Sports Brief had earlier reported that 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.

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.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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