Neymar Says Getting Pelted With Baguettes Did Not Make Him Lose His Cool

After PSG’s 2-2 draw against Marseille on Sunday, in which Neymar was sent off in the final minutes for drawing a second yellow card, the Brazilian complained about Marseille fans pelting him with food and beverages, but denied it provoked him to commit a foul.

“The supporters threw all sorts of objects at me. I could have had lunch,” he said according to SPORT. “There were baguettes, orange juice, Coca-Cola... it was exaggerated. That is not football.”

Neymar said the mistreatment didn’t get to him, and that the second yellow card was unfair. From SPORT:

“It didn’t wind me up. I was calm. If I’d been wound up, I wouldn’t be here with you now. I would be on the bus. ... I have seen worse things in football and no one has been sent off. I take responsibility for my error, but I didn’t lose my temper. We have to be prepared, given the opposition are going to try everything against us.”

PSG coach Unai Emery also disagreed with the call.

“We’re a little bit disappointed by the sending-off because he was fouled a lot throughout the game,” he said, per by L’Equipe. “I think the referee also needs to think in a good way. We have to protect the players.”