Al Jazira midfielder Thiago Neves became the first player to be punished by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a social media rant after the Brazilian posted an offensive tweet about a referee.
Neves, 30, was fined $25,000 (Dh91,800) and handed a suspended one-match ban for his Twitter post following the October 20 Asian Champions League semi-final between victors UAE club Al Ahli and his old club Al Hilal, who he left in July to move to Jazira.
“If Thiago Neves is found in breach of the AFC Disciplinary Code in the next two years, the suspension is automatically revoked and the sanction applied,” the AFC said in a statement on Friday.
“A repeat violation will also lead to a more severe punishment.”
REACTION: Al Jazira manager Henk ten Cate wants more aerial support for Kenwyne Jones
Jazira, who take on Qatar’s Al Sadd in the playoff round next month for a place in the group stage of this season’s tournament, are struggling domestically this season.
Last year's Arabian Gulf League runners-up are currently 10th in the 14-team table, and their poor campaign has led to reports that Neves could be making an imminent exit from the club.
Jazira signed striker Kenwyne Jones on loan from Cardiff City — to replace long-term absentee Mirko Vucinic — and, more pertinently for Neves, Getafe midfielder Angel Lafita this month as the club attempts to turn around their season.
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