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15th Oct 2015

Neymar faces 6-month ban from football if Fifa uphold breach of contract claim

No more Neymar?

Darragh Murphy

Neymar may have to ask Luis Suarez about the best hobbies to take up while suspended.

The Brazilian’s former club, Santos, have brought a case to Fifa regarding Neymar’s 2013 transfer to Barcelona and believe that the forward breached his contract.

Brazilian outlet Sport reports that “[Santos] feel betrayed by Neymar and have requested Fifa suspend the player for six months in relation to the civil and sporting action the club opened against him at the beginning of this year.”

Kashiwa Reysol v Santos - FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final

Santos also want to be compensated financially with a figure of €55 million being quoted in the press.

The club claim that Neymar behaved in “bad faith” regarding Article 17 of Fifa’s transfer rules that state:

“In addition to the obligation to pay compensation, sporting sanctions shall also be imposed on any player found to be in breach of contract during the protected period. This sanction shall be a four-month restriction on playing in official matches. In the case of aggravating circumstances, the restriction shall last six months.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 03: Neymar waves to the crowd during the official presentation as a new player of the FC Barcelona at Camp Nou Stadium on June 3, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Wagner Ribeiro, one of Neymar’s agents didn’t sound too concerned about the case:

“It is absurd what Santos is doing. It is unconstitutional to prohibit an employee from going about his work. It makes no sense,” Ribiero told UOL. “I am not worried over it and I doubt Neymar is either. But no matter what, I will meet with Neymar Sr. and with his legal team to analyse the course of action.”