PARIS SAINT GERMAIN coach Unai Emery has called for referees to better protect marquee players after Brazilian superstar Neymar was sent off in a 2-2 draw in their bitter grudge match with Marseille on Sunday.
Neymar was not only constantly harried and niggled by a series of fouls in the game, but also pelted by Stade Velodrome fans with coins and even lighters whilst taking corners.
The former Barcelona star eventually lost his cool and was sent off for two yellow cards late on, both for retaliation with him appearing to aim a headbutt at Marseille’s Argentine striker Lucas Ocampos.
“We are a bit disappointed by the sending off because he was fouled a great deal during the game,” said Emery.
“He suffered four serious fouls from our opponents which continued and continued and continued,” said Emery, insisting the world’s most expensive player had been provoked throughout the match.
Neymar had been excellent for PSG scoring a cool-headed equaliser and looking every inch a big game player until his rush of blood to the head and the red card with his side 2-1 down in the 88th minute.
“I believe the referee should have had a good think about it. We need to protect the great players,” said Emery.
“Those yellow cards were not fair on Neymar, he’s a man who wants to play.
“He hasn’t been battered here, but if he gets that treatment every game…” Emery said of the 25-year-old who joined PSG for a world-record 222 million euros ($261.5 million) in the close season.
“It’s up to all of us to protect the big players, on both sides, because (Dimitri) Payet is also a good player,” said Emery in reference to the Marseille playmaker.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
The man can do no wrong……
Except for getting a team relegated
Idiotic comment. Worked wonders for years keeping Wigan in the Premiership on a shoestring budget.
I was at the Wigan QPR game last season and the few Wigan fans that were there had nothing but praise for the job he was doing for them. One of the best young managers in the game.
Martinez has struck me as a class act since I first became familiar with him at Wigan. Today’s speech was understated and respectful yet laden with empathy and sincerity. Brilliant stuff … Fair play to him.
Has always come across as a pure gent. Never heard anyone give out about or say a bad word about him.
Kenwright, Martinez and Everton in General have carried themselves exceptionally in all this. Such a welcome change from the vile bitterness all to common in football rivalry.
Rivals for a day, friends for life…. the way it should always be….
Great speech….great team… great city…
ETID ..rip the 96 and hopefully peace of mind to there family…
That’s classy, would expect nothing less of him.
Great guy!
Sky said after the speech that they distanced themselves from some of his comments! Unbelievable even for a sky! Worries about libelling the police.
I happened to see that as well – Kay Burley made that remark. I wouldn’t take much notice or get bothered by any utterance/observation from her mouth.
It wasn’t that they were distancing themselves from what Roberto said, more that they were waiting to see if there were any remarks made that could be considered as contempt of court. The new inquests are covered by the Contempt of Court act, and so people have to make sure that nothing is said that could prejudice the proceedings. Roberto made a heartfelt, beautiful speech today, and he’s done wonders over at Goodison this season.
Didn’t know that. Thanks
Top class.