Neymar escapes with warning over Cup final fan slap
Prosecutors have decided the Brazilian star will receive a written warning.
BOBIGNY (AFP) - Neymar will escape prosecution for an altercation with an opposition supporter after Paris Saint-Germain s surprise defeat in the French Cup final in April, sources told AFP on Monday.
Prosecutors have decided the Brazilian star will receive a written warning and no further action will be taken.
A 29-year-old Rennes fan who had been filming Neymar as he climbed the stairs to collect his loser s medal at the Stade de France appeared to cajole the disconsolate player after the French league champions were defeated in a penalty shootout.
Neymar stopped, used his hand to lower the phone and then tapped the fan on the chin.
"I shouldn t have done it but sometimes it s hard to remain calm," Neymar said on Instagram at the time.
A lawyer for the fan who filed a complaint against Neymar for violent behaviour said the warning was unacceptable.
"It s a justification of violence," said lawyer Philippe Ohayon. "If that had been a fan hitting a player he would have been brought to justice and maybe even received a custodial sentence."
Neymar was given a three-match ban for the gesture at the time of the incident.
