PSG coach Thomas Tuchel has warned Neymar to show more respect after the forward was involved in an altercation with a spectator following Saturday’s French Cup final defeat to Rennes, with video footage appearing to show him striking the fan.
Rennes stunned PSG 6-5 on penalties after coming from two down to draw 2-2 in a match in which Neymar got on the scoresheet.
As the PSG squad walked up to receive their runners-up medals, Neymar initially pushed a supporter’s hand away as he tried to record him on his mobile phone.
The frustrated forward, who returned from a three-month injury layoff last week, then appeared to jab at the spectator before walking away to collect his medal.
Asked about what happened, coach Thomas Tuchel said: “I did not like it, I did not like it at all.
“It is not possible to do this sort of thing. Post-defeat is not easy to accept, but you must show respect. You cannot do that.”
Neymar, who criticised the attitudes of some of PSG’s young players after the match, later posted a message on Instagram, saying: “Nobody likes to lose. Everyone who knows me knows how competitive I am and how much defeat shakes me.
“But losing is part of an athlete’s life, it makes us grow, makes us think, makes us better. Happy to be able to play again, to score again and feel good on the pitch, but the biggest feeling today is one of sadness.”
Reuters has contacted PSG for comment.
Earlier this week, Neymar was suspended for three Champions League games for insulting match officials following PSG’s elimination from the Champions League.
PSG have qualified for next season’s tournament by winning the Ligue 1 title.