Neymar facing four-game ban, says former PSG winger Rothen

Neymar is facing a four-game ban for striking Alvaro Gonzalez after he accused the Marseille defender of racism, according to former Paris Saint-Germain winger Jerome Rothen.

The Brazilian superstar was one of five players to be sent off at the end of Sunday’s Classique, which Marseille won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes.

A VAR check showed Neymar striking Alvaro on the back of the head, with the forward later saying he was subjected to a racial slur – an allegation his opponent has since categorically denied.

PSG and Marseille have fully backed their respective players and are awaiting a review from French football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).

A decision could be made as early as Wednesday and Rothen is expecting Neymar to be hit with an extended suspension.

Você não é homem de assumir teu erro, perder faz parte do esporte. Agora insultar e trazer o racismo pra nossas vidas não, eu não estou de acordo. EU NÃO TE RESPEITO! VOCÊ NÃO TEM CARÁTER! Assume o que tu fala mermão … seja HOMEM RAPÁ ! RACISTA

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) September 14, 2020

“For Neymar, it will be four games, I’m sure,” he told RMC Sport. “I’ve been there before after fighting on a field. I had four games.”

PSG also had Leandro Paredes and Layvin Kurzawa sent off in Sunday’s heated clash, while Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto saw red for Marseille.

Reigning Ligue 1 champions and Champions League finalists PSG have kicked off their 2020-21 campaign with back-to-back losses, having also been beaten 1-0 at Lens last week.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are back in action on Wednesday with a home league meeting against Metz, before taking on Nice, Reims and Angers in the next 16 days.