25.10.2026 20:20
Brazilian footballer Neymar was sent off with a red card after speaking to his opponent while covering his mouth in the Santos-Bahia match.
In the match played between Santos and Bahia in the Brazilian League, which ended in a 1-1 draw, world-famous star Neymar left his mark on the game with the red card he received.
RED CARD FOR SPEAKING WITH HIS MOUTH COVERED
Neymar, who received a yellow card in the first half after an incident with Rodrigo Nestor, came face to face with his opponent again at halftime. During the argument between the two players, the star footballer spoke with his hand covering his mouth, prompting intense protests from the Bahia side to the referee. The match referee, after reviewing the incident on the VAR screen, punished the Brazilian player with a direct red card.
REASON: "VINICIUS RULE"
Behind the red card given to Neymar is a regulation enacted to prevent discrimination in football, known as the "Vinicius rule." This rule, accepted before the 2026 World Cup, prohibits players from covering their mouths while arguing with opponents on the pitch in order to conceal possible discriminatory or racist statements. This regulation, under which referees have the authority to send players off directly, came into force after an incident previously experienced by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in a match against Benfica.