An awful tackle on Neymar led to a huge brawl during Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 home win against rivals Marseille on Sunday evening.
Samuel Gigot was shown a straight red card by referee Clement Turpin for his late challenge on Neymar. The French defender's feet were high and out of control when he made contact with his Brazilian opponent. It's believed Neymar wasn't injured by the tackle.
All eyes were on the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening, as the fixture - known as 'Le Classique' - was billed as one of the biggest of the French domestic season so far. Heading into the game, PSG were top of Ligue 1 - just three points clear of Marseille in third.
Neymar's goal on the stroke of half-time was enough to secure all three points for PSG. As Lorient in second could only muster a goalless home draw against Reims on Saturday, PSG are now three points clear at the top of the table - and six points ahead of Marseille.
Yet Sunday evening's biggest talking point was the challenge on Neymar. Referee Turpin immediately dispatched a red card after Gigot's tackle, but that didn't stop a wave of PSG players storming towards the Marseille defender to criticise him.
Marco Verratti was among those to run towards the chaos, as several Marseille players - including former Arsenal hothead Matteo Guendouzi - jumped in to defend Gigot. Tensions increased even further when Gigot confronted Neymar while he laid on the ground.
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PSG captain Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappe were among those to step in and push Gigot away from their stricken teammate. Marquinhos, who is also Neymar's teammate at international level, was then dragged away from the scene by Guendouzi.
Gigot eventually apologised to Neymar for the challenge and left the playing surface. Marquinhos was booked for his reaction but no other players were punished by referee Turpin. Neymar did continue but was subbed off in the 88th minute of the game.
"I didn’t see it, but I was told that he [Gigot] didn’t touch the player [Neymar]," said Marseille manager Igor Tudor when asked about the incident, as quoted by L'Equipe. "I have to look at the pictures. If you give a red card because he touched him, that’s normal. But if it’s just to punish the intention, it’s a mistake."
Mbappe, meanwhile, has confirmed he doesn't want to leave PSG in January. Just hours before an important Champions League game against Benfica last Tuesday, it was reported the France international is after a transfer as soon as possible.
"I'm very happy," said Mbappe. "I have never asked to leave in January... I didn't understand why the story came out on the day of a game. I was as shocked as everyone. People can think I was involved, but I wasn't at all."
PSG are back in action on Friday when they travel to Ligue 1 rivals Ajaccio. Manager Christophe Galtier has been tasked with winning the club's first ever Champions League crown this season, with group games against Maccabi Haifa and Juventus on the horizon.
