Neymar slams UCL referee for lack of respect after being booked for celebration

Neymar has lashed out on social media after being shown a yellow card for a celebration, claiming Daniel Siebert failed to show him respect.

The Brazilian claimed referee Siebert displayed a 'total lack of respect' in booking him on Twitter after his recently popularised trademark, before condemning his actions and stating that referees cannot continue to behave this way.

The 30-year-old scored his 11th goal of the season in the 88th minute of the game before being booked, to put PSG 3-1 up over Maccabi Haifa to continue the French giants' strong start to the Champions League group stage.

Neymar took to Twitter to vent his frustration at his perceived slight, writing: 'Total lack of respect for the athlete. This kind of thing can't happen.

'I take the yellow for simply not having done anything and I continue to be harmed. And the judge?

'Not even to say he was wrong, he will! A lot of lack of respect.'

The Brazilian was clearly incensed with Siebert's actions, as he had already tweeted a picture of the celebration six minutes previously, with the caption: 'I'm asking now, okay?'

His celebration - which has had a lot of air time given his magnificent form this season - is aimed at his critics, according to Neymar himself, and sees him stick out his tongue with his hands against his face in a clearly taunting gesture.

Law 12 of IFAB's refereeing regulations dictate that a player should be shown a yellow card during a celebration if they remove their shirt, climb over a perimeter fence into the crowd, put on a mask, or gesture in an inflammatory or provocative manner.

And although Neymar's actions are harmless, and it is not an attempt to wind up his opponent, it is easy to see how Siebert has interpreted it this way, given that Neymar revealed of his own volition that it is a jibe at his critics.

He will now need to be careful after picking up a needless yellow cars, as should the Brazilian receive two he will be suspended for one game, although cautions are wiped out after the quarter-finals.

In ten games so far this season, Neymar already has 11 goals and seven assists, and alongside team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, he is in lethal form in the run up to the World Cup this winter.