With the Ligue 1 season underway, PSG took on Marseille in the first ‘Le Classique’ of the season.
In what turned out to be one of the craziest stoppage time periods ever witnessed in world football, as many as FIVE players were sent off for getting into a brawl.
It all started in the last minute of regulation time when Neymar got into an argument with Alvaro Gonzalez. Though it wasn’t the highlight of the brawl, it did come into play later.
Right before competing aerially for a goal kick taken by Marseille goalie Mandanda, Paredes was fouled by Benedetto. In a fit of rage, Paredes deliberately went on and took out Benedetto. However, his antics would not stop there as the Parisian would go and headbutt Marseille defender Alvaro.
A full-on brawl broke out between the two teams in the middle of the ground, and the entirety of the teams joined in. Some attempting to separate those who threw kicks and punches, while some attempted a cheap shot.
PSG’s Layvin Kurzawa and Paredes were sent off immediately after, the latter was already on a yellow. Marseille’s Amavi and Benedetto were also given their marching orders by the ref.
While the sending off came to a momentary pause, VAR intervened and showed the ref, Jerome Brisard a footage of Neymar slapping the head of Alvaro. Following the review, Brisard sent off the Brazilian as well.
While leaving the pitch, Neymar told the fourth official that the reason behind the entire brawl was the racist comments hurled by the opposition.
Florian Thauvin scored the only goal of the match, sweeping in a brilliant free-kick lobbed in by one Dimitri Payet in the 31st minute.
PSG had already lost to Lens 1-0 on the first matchday. Another 1-0 loss to bitter rivals Marseille at home only made things worse for the Champions League finalists.
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