PSG's Neymar has been caught on tape appearing to 'punch' a fan on the chin after he attempted to take a photograph of the Brazilian forward following his side's French Cup Final defeat on penalties to Rennes.
Rennes came out on top after an ill-tempered affair finished 6-5 on spot kicks following a 2-2 draw after extra time inside the Stade de France on Saturday. However, the manner of their victory against the runaway Ligue 1 winners has been overshadowed by some instances of poor discipline from some of PSG's most high profile players, which also included a red card for French wonderkid Kylian Mbappe.
After the final whistle, Neymar appeared to be goaded by a fan as PSG players made their way through through the stands and up to collect their runners-up medals.
After a brief confrontation, footage shows the player lash out and catch the fan on the chin and then walk away. Other supporters can be heard reacting to the incident in the background of the clip, including one with a small child.
The French Football Federation have yet to issue any statement on the incident, but some sort of ban for Neymar is definitely a possibility.
Later, Neymar posted a sombre picture of himself apparently asking forgiveness for the result, but offering no apology for the punch or even any mention of the incident.
"Nobody likes to lose, so I ... who knows me knows how competitive I am and how much defeat shakes me. But losing is part of an athlete's life, makes us grow, makes us think, makes us BETTER," he wrote.
"Happy to be able to play again, to score again and feel good on the pitch, but the biggest feeling today is one of sadness."
Neymar, who was starting his first game since January after recovering from a foot injury, found the net after 21 minutes to double PSG's lead after an early Dani Alves strike but when it appeared that the Parisien side were set to rout their way to a fifth successive French Cup, a Presnel Kimpembe own goal before the break and an Edson Mexer header levelled the scores.
Mbappe saw red for a terrible challenge in extra time, connecting with his studs on the knee of Damien Da Silva before the game hit penalties, of which he was subsequently ruled out as PSG came up short in sudden death.
The loss denied PSG their fourth domestic double in five years and, coupled with their Champions League exit to Manchester United at the Round of 16, could lead to further pressure on German coach Thomas Tuchel - the man who had been tasked with delivering European glory to the French capital.
Also on rt.com ‘Disgrace!’: Neymar given 3 game Euro ban for Instagram outburst after PSG Champions League exit