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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Neymar set to rekindle 15-year feud with Tartan Army after false banana claim

Neymar (Image: Shutterstock)

Fit-again Neymar is set to resume hostilities with the Tartan Army... 15 years after he refused to apologise when he wrongly accused Scotland fans of being racist.

The Brazilian all-time leading goalscorer has been declared fit to face Scotland in Miami on Wednesday in the crunch final group game.

And the Santos icon is sure to receive a torrid reception from the tens of thousands of Tartan Army after a notorious incident in 2011.

Scotland agreed to play a glamour friendly in London against the South American superstars, and Craig Levein's side lost 2-0 at the Emirates in front of 53,087 fans, with Neymar scoring a double.

But the match was overshadowed after Neymar - who was 19 at the time - accused Scotland fans of racism after a banana was thrown at him during the game.

It was later confirmed that a German tourist lobbed the fruit at Neymar, who was at Santos at the time too, Then-SFA chief Stewart Regan demanded an apology from either the player himself or the Brazilian FA.

However, an unrepentant Neymar made it clear the SFA and the Tartan Army would be waiting a long time for him to say sorry.

He said: "I was surprised by a letter from the Scottish FA where they demand an apology from me or from the Brazilian Football Confederation regarding the incident involving a banana thrown toward field during the friendly between Brazil vs Scotland.


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"At no time - even late in the game when I was still excited by the thrill of scoring the two goals that won us the game - did I accuse any person or any group of supporters, of whatever nationality, of having committed such an act.

"All the interviews I gave at the end of the match, in Portuguese, are available for examination by media companies that covered the friendly.

"Yes, I did lament the incident and condemn it, but I repeat, at no time did I accuse anybody. So you must understand why I do not have to say sorry.

"This demand, on the part of the Scottish FA, after all that happened, seems somewhat ironic, since - given what happened against me - it is me who should "require" a formal apology.

"Knowing the difficulty of identifying the alleged culprit and to establish who he supported and for my happiness, I should think the matter is now over, which can be easily seen in all the interviews I have given since the game.

"I had a great time with my family in the UK, and remained a day longer than planned. I have only praise for the way I was treated by all the places we visited. It was an honour for my family with the hospitality offered to us. It was unforgettable days.

"But I now consider the matter closed."

It's unlikely the Tartan Army will, though, when the sides face off at the Hard Rock Stadium this week.

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