Neymar handed two-match ban for covering his mouth under Brazil's 'Vinicius Law'

Brazil’s sports tribunal has suspended Neymar for two matches after the Santos forward covered his mouth while arguing with an opponent during last weekend’s league game against Bahia. The ban was confirmed on Wednesday and is based on a protocol known as the ‘Vinicius Law’.

The regulation takes its name from Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, who earlier this year accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while concealing his mouth with his shirt during a Champions League match. The protocol was introduced to deter players from using the gesture to disguise discriminatory language on the pitch.

In total, Neymar faces a three-match suspension. The first game is the result of an accumulation of yellow cards, which he will serve against Palmeiras in the Brazilian league on Wednesday. The remaining two matches are the direct consequence of the mouth-covering incident, meaning he is not expected to return to action until late November. Neymar and Santos retain the right to appeal the two-match element of the ban.

The suspension is the latest disruption in a stop-start year for the 33-year-old, who has scored eight goals in 15 appearances in Brazil’s Serie A while managing multiple injury setbacks. His form in the first half of the season was enough to earn him a recall to the national team for the 2026 World Cup, but he missed the opening games of the tournament through injury and made only two substitute appearances, scoring a penalty against Norway.

Brazil were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Norway, and in the aftermath Neymar announced the end of his international career after 130 caps and 80 goals. “I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I’m very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don’t think I want it anymore,” he told reporters.

Those comments followed an emotional post-match interview in which he said simply: “I tried, I tried. Now it’s over.”