Neymar's 'hand of God' attempt earns red, deepens Santos' woes
Neymar, the Santos footballer, was sent off for attempting to replicate Maradona's famous "hand of God". The incident occurred during the match against Botafogo Rio de Janeiro.
Key information
- Neymar received a red card for attempting a handball in the match against Botafogo.
- Santos lost the match 0–1, deepening their troubles in the league.
- Neymar apologised for his behaviour, admitting his mistake.
During the Brazilian league match between Santos and Botafogo Rio de Janeiro, Neymar attempted to mimic Diego Maradona’s iconic move, known as the "hand of God". In the 76th minute, the footballer directed the ball into the goal with his hand, prompting an immediate response from the referee.
The referee issued Neymar a second yellow card, resulting in his removal from the pitch. This decision proved crucial as Botafogo capitalised on their numerical advantage, scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute. After the match, Neymar expressed regret over his actions.
I made a mistake, please forgive me. If I hadn’t been sent off, I’m sure we would have secured three points. I am to blame for this defeat — wrote Neymar.
Santos' problems
With Neymar in the team, Santos have lost seven out of eleven league matches and are currently in the relegation zone. They stand 18th in the Brazilian top division, putting them in a challenging position for upcoming fixtures.
The red card means Neymar will miss the next match against Fortaleza. His contract with Santos is set to expire on 30 June, and if not extended, Sunday's match may have been his last appearance for the club.
