Overview
- The Santos forward, booked late in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Remo, said referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio had “woken up on his period,” a remark made after he protested a foul.
- The yellow card triggers a suspension that rules him out of Sunday’s trip to Flamengo, which coach Cuca called an avoidable loss for the team.
- The phrase referenced Brazilian slang “Chico,” which many in the country view as a sexist way to say someone is menstruating, drawing strong criticism from journalists and fans.
- Brazilian outlets report that authorities could open a case that brings a longer ban, with some citing talk of up to 12 matches based on recent cases, though no extra sanction has been announced.
- A 12-game punishment issued last month to Red Bull Bragantino’s Gustavo Marques for sexist comments serves as the key precedent, while analysts say the episode could also hurt Neymar’s bid to rejoin Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.