Neymar was sent off in a controversial incident during Santos’ 1-1 draw against Bahia after covering his mouth while arguing with Rodrigo Nestor. The Brazilian superstar has now reacted angrily, accusing his opponent of taking advantage of the new ‘Vinicius Jr. rule’.
Neymar Receives Controversial Red Card Under ‘Vinicius Jr. Rule’ and Reacts Angrily
Neymar has found himself at the centre of a major controversy after receiving a direct red card under the so-called ‘Vinicius Jr. rule’ during Santos’ 1-1 draw against Bahia on Saturday, October 24.
The Brazilian superstar was sent off before the second half even started after covering his mouth during an argument with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor.
Following a VAR review, referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio decided that Neymar’s actions broke the new rule designed to prevent discriminatory behaviour.
However, the 34-year-old was furious with the decision and later accused his opponent of taking advantage of the regulation.
The incident has quickly become one of the biggest talking points in Brazilian football.
Why Neymar received a direct red card
The controversy began in the 31st minute of the first half at Vila Belmiro.
After being fouled, Neymar threw the ball towards Rodrigo Nestor, leading to an argument between the two players.
The Santos captain received a yellow card for his actions.
However, the situation became much more serious when the players returned to the pitch after half-time.
Neymar and Nestor started arguing again, and the Brazilian superstar covered his mouth with his hand while speaking to his opponent.
Nestor immediately complained about the gesture.
The VAR officials then called referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio to review the incident.
After watching the footage, the referee showed Neymar a direct red card before the second half had started.
The decision left Neymar furious as Santos were forced to play the entire second half with ten men.
What is the controversial ‘Vinicius Jr. rule’?
The regulation used to send Neymar off is widely known in the media as the ‘Vinicius Jr. rule’.
It was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on April 28, 2026, as part of efforts to fight racism and discrimination in football.
Under the new rule, competitions can introduce a direct red card for players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents in confrontational situations.
The aim is to stop players from hiding offensive or discriminatory comments from referees and cameras.
However, the rule does not mean every player who covers their mouth must automatically receive a red card.
It applies to specific confrontational situations and depends on whether the competition has adopted the regulation.
The rule became widely associated with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior following major debates about racism and discrimination in football.
Importantly, Neymar’s red card does not prove that he made a racist comment during the incident.
Neymar angrily reacts and criticises Rodrigo Nestor
Following the match, Neymar shared several videos on social media to explain what happened.
The Santos superstar admitted that covering his mouth had been a mistake.
However, he strongly criticised Rodrigo Nestor and accused him of using the regulation to gain an advantage during the match.
Neymar claimed that he had not made any discriminatory comments and believed his opponent had taken advantage of the situation.
He also explained that arguments and angry words are common during competitive football matches.
According to Globo Esporte, Neymar apologised to Santos supporters for his dismissal and accepted responsibility for giving the referee a reason to send him off.
However, he insisted that the regulation should be used to fight discrimination rather than become a tactical weapon against opponents.
His comments quickly attracted attention and started a wider debate about how the new rule should be applied.
Rodrigo Nestor gives a different version of the incident
Rodrigo Nestor also spoke publicly about his disagreement with Neymar.
The Bahia midfielder said the Santos captain had been disrespectful towards him during their earlier argument.
According to Globo Esporte, Nestor claimed that Neymar had said things that offended him personally and showed disrespect towards Bahia.
Nestor described Neymar as a football idol but criticised his behaviour during the match.
He did not reveal the exact words Neymar had used.
His explanation was very different from Neymar’s version of events.
However, there has been no confirmed finding that Neymar made a racist statement.
For now, the disagreement between the two players remains one of the main reasons behind the controversy.
Santos coach Cuca responds to Neymar’s dismissal
Santos coach Cuca was also asked about Neymar’s behaviour after the match.
Rather than immediately criticising his captain, the Brazilian manager said he wanted to understand exactly what had happened.
According to Globo Esporte, Cuca explained that emotions were still running high and that he needed to review the footage before speaking to Neymar.
The coach confirmed that he would discuss the incident with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
He also expressed disappointment about losing an important player for upcoming matches.
Neymar set to miss two important Santos matches
Neymar’s controversial dismissal could also have serious consequences for Santos.
The Brazilian superstar had already received his third yellow card of the competition before being sent off.
As a result, he is expected to serve separate suspensions related to the yellow-card limit and the direct red card.
According to Globo Esporte, Neymar is set to miss Santos’ next two league matches:
October 28: Santos vs Palmeiras.
November 2: Red Bull Bragantino vs Santos.
His absence would be a major setback for Santos as they try to finish the Brazilian league season strongly.
Any additional disciplinary punishment would need to be confirmed separately.
Santos fight back despite Neymar’s red card
Despite losing Neymar before the second half, Santos managed to avoid defeat against Bahia.
Luciano Juba opened the scoring for the visitors in the 37th minute.
Heavy rain also made conditions difficult at Vila Belmiro, with large areas of the pitch covered in water.
However, Santos continued fighting with ten players and eventually scored a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time.
Defender Luan Peres headed home from a corner to secure a 1-1 draw.
The result left Santos with 46 points after 32 matches, keeping them in eighth place in the Brazilian league.
Neymar’s controversial red card sparks major debate
Neymar’s dismissal has raised important questions about one of football’s newest disciplinary rules.
While the regulation was introduced to fight racism and discrimination, Neymar believes opponents could use it unfairly during heated moments.
However, the referee applied the competition’s rule after reviewing Neymar’s actions on video.
Rodrigo Nestor has also maintained that the Santos captain behaved disrespectfully during their argument.
With Neymar now facing a suspension and Santos preparing for important matches, the incident could have consequences beyond Saturday’s result.
For now, one thing is certain: Neymar’s red card under the ‘Vinicius Jr. rule’ has created a major controversy in Brazilian football, and the debate over the decision is far from over.
