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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Neymar risks UEFA rap ahead of Champions League final with shirt swap after Leipzig win

Neymar has risked a UEFA rap ahead of the Champions League final after breaking protocol to swap shirts with RB Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg following PSG's 3-0 win over the Bundesliga side in the semi-finals.

The Brazilian was at his imperious best as the French champions booked their place in European football's showpiece fixture.

He struck the post twice and laid on a sublime assist for Angel di Maria during the victory which saw the Parisians reach the final for the first time in their history.

They will play the winners of this evening's other semi-final between Bayern Munich and Lyon, who dumped out Manchester City in the last eight.

Neymar swapped shirts with an opponent (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

But it was Neymar's actions after the game that have courted controversy, after he swapped shirts with Halstenberg, something UEFA have warned against amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In the body's return to play protocol, they state: "Players are recommended to refrain from swapping their shirts."

The document also states that non-compliance with the regulations 'may lead to disciplinary measures in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations'.

Neymar and PSG will be hoping that because refraining from swapping shirts is a 'recommendation', he will avoid further punishment, with some reports suggesting he could even be banned for the final.

Should Neymar face punishment? Have your say below.

PSG booked their place in the final for the first time (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

UEFA's protocols do not explicitly state that swapping shirts would result in a period of self-isolation.

Marquinhos and Juan Bernat were also on the scoresheet for PSG against Leipzig, but it was Neymar's flick for Di Maria's goal that really caught the eye.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit on BT Sport, said: "At first I thought he didn’t mean it, then I looked at the replay and just… wow.”

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