Neymar and four others see red as PSG loses two consecutive Ligue 1 games

The Frech Ligue 1 champions, PSG, have lost two consecutive games in the domestic league after losing 1-0 to Olympique Marseille in their second match.

The only goal that separated both sides came from Florian Thauvin. This is the first time the Paris club will be losing their opening two Ligue 1 games since 1984-85.

In a match that witness squabbles from both teams deep into injury time, five players were given the marching orders. Unfortunately, Neymar, who recently returned to action after testing negative of COVID-19, was one of them.

Others who were red-carded in the late brawl were Leandro Paredes, Layvin Kurzawa, Jordan Amavi, and Dario Benedetto.

Neymar was given the red card after the referee had watched a VAR replay to see his punch on the back of Alvaro’s head. Neymar had been in a running battle with him all game. The Brazilian had earlier been booked in the game. He also told the fourth official that he heard a racist comment as he was leaving the pitch.

In the game that saw 17 cards in total, a record for a Ligue 1 game in the 21st century, Benedetto nudged substitute Paredes in the back, and the PSG midfielder hit him to the ground before headbutting Alvaro.

This led to a melee among both sets of players. Kurzawa got his marching order after punching Amavi. Amavi also got his after both of them began kicking each other.

Benedetto and Paredes were already on yellow cards before they got the second, and the red cards followed.

PSG that finished runners up in last season’s UEFA Champions League, is without a point from two games after losing their opening game against promoted Lens 2-1.

They currently occupy the 18th spot while Strasbourg and Dijon are 19th and 20th, respectively.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed