Neymar angry after mistaken substitution in Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba | OneFootball

Neymar was taken off by mistake during Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba at Neo Química Arena, in the 16th round of the Brasileiro. He was receiving treatment on his calf off the pitch when the fourth official raised the board for the number 10.

According to Globo.com, Santos maintained the substitution was meant to remove Escobar. Robinho Júnior came on, so the change was confirmed in the 19th minute of the second half.

Neymar, angered by the mix-up, tried to return to the field and was booked. He then held up the paper said to have been given to the fourth official, which he argued identified the Argentinian as the player to come off.

Despite his protests, play restarted in the 23rd minute without him on the pitch.

Speaking afterwards, Neymar said he had not seen the board and believed the officials had made a serious error. He recounted that the fourth official told him the rule was to follow what was on the paper, which he showed as proof.

He added that the referee told him he had already been substituted and must leave. Neymar said such mistakes harm a team and questioned why VAR cannot be used to correct them.

Source: Globo.com