Neymar handed two-match ban as Ligue 1 opens racism investigation after PSG-Marseille brawl

Four more suspensions issued, including six games for Layvin Kurzawa, while Angel Di Maria has been summoned to next disciplinary commission meeting

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  Neymar argues with referee Jerome Brisard during the LIgue 1 game against Marseille on September 13, 2020, that saw five players sent off after a mass stoppage-time brawl. EPA

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  Marseille's Alvaro Gonzalez after the clash with Neymar, right. EPA

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  Marseille's Jordan Amavi clashes with PSG's Layvin Kurzawa. Reuters

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  Layvin Kurzawa, right, scuffles with Marseille's Jordan Amavi, centre. EPA

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  PSG and Marseille players clash near the end of the French League One match. AP

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  Marseille's French defender Jordan Amavi is held back. AFP

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  Jordan Amavi, centre, is held back. AFP

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  Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet celebrates after the match. AFP

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  Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes, left, clashes with Marseille forward Dario Benedetto. AFP

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  Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet dances with teammates. AFP

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  Marseille's Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez celebrates. AFP

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  Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille players scuffle at the end of the match. AFP

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  Marseille's Argentinian forward Dario Benedetto, left, and Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes, second right, receive red cards. AFP

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  Marseille's Pape Gueye fouls PSG star Neymar. Reuters

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  Neymar argues with Marseille's Alvaro Gonzalez. EPA

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  Brazilian forward Neymar leaves the pitch after his red card. AFP

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  Neymar walks off the pitch after being sent off. AFP

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  Neymar leaves the pitch. AP

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  PSG's Neymar argues with the fourth official as he leaves the pitch. AP

Neymar was on Wednesday handed a two-match ban for his red card during Paris Saint-Germain's defeat to Marseille as Ligue 1 authorities said an investigation has been opened into accusations of racism from the Brazilian forward against Alvaro Gonzalez.

Angel Di Maria will also be summoned to the league's next disciplinary commission meeting on September 23 over claims he spat at Marseille defender Gonzalez during PSG's 1-0 loss which ended with a mass brawl and five players sent off.

Neymar was sent off for slapping Gonzalez on the back of the head and accused the Spaniard of calling him a "monkey". Gonzalez denies the allegation.

"We know there was an exchange of words. But right now, there isn't enough certainty to call in the players," said Sebastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary commission.

He said the investigation would study the footage further to determine whether there was enough evidence to substantiate the claims of racist abuse.

The goal will be to establish "what was actually said and what was actually heard", Deneux added, while insisting the commission would only rule on "objective, tangible elements."

PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa incurred a six-match ban for kicking out at Marseille left-back Jordan Amavi, who was hit with a suspension of three games after he too was dismissed.

Leandro Paredes was banned for two games after he was sent off for a clash with fellow Argentine Dario Benedetto, who was also red-carded and will be suspended for Marseille's game with Saint-Etienne on Thursday.

Neymar watched Wednesday's 1-0 win at home to Metz from the stands as PSG registered their first points of the season courtesy of a stoppage-time Julian Draxler goal, after successive opening defeats for the first time since 1984/85.

He will be free to return to face Reims on September 27 but will miss Sunday's trip to Nice. The suspension adds to a growing list served by Neymar since his arrival in Paris in 2017 as the world's most expensive football.

He was banned for three games by Uefa - eventually reduced to two - following a foul-mouthed rant at officials following PSG's Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United in March 2019.

A couple months later he lashed out at a Rennes supporter following PSG's defeat on penalties in the French Cup final, earning himself a three-match ban from the French FA.

Neymar was also sent off in a 2-2 draw against Marseille in October 2017 for two petulant yellow cards late in the game.