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'Ugly stuff': PSG star Neymar targeted by Marseille fans

Yahoo Sport Australia

Paris Saint-Germain prevailed 2-0 over Marseille to make it 11 straight wins at the start of the French Ligue 1 season – but it wasn’t without some controversy.

Fiery scenes erupted in the clash between the bitter rivals, with PSG superstar Neymar targeted by Marseille fans.

The 26-year-old was on the receiving end of some heavy abuse, with it turning physical once he stepped up to take a corner.

Neymar was targeted by Marseille’s fans in a fiery Ligue 1 clash. Pic: Getty
Neymar was targeted by Marseille’s fans in a fiery Ligue 1 clash. Pic: Getty

Neymar can be seen flinching in the video, before picking up a bottle and presenting it to the referee.

Reports from within the stadium say the Brazilian was pelted by glass bottles and coins amidst the chaos.

Despite the unfortunate scenes, PSG turned to Kylian Mbappe off the bench to help turn the match in their favour.

Both team’s coaches, Thomas Tuchel of PSG and his Marseille counterpart Rudi Garcia, were also sent off during the fiery Le Classique for arguing with officials.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (C) shows a plastic projectile thrown by Olympique de Marseille’s supporters during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Velodrome stadium, in Marseille, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (C) shows a plastic projectile thrown by Olympique de Marseille’s supporters during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Velodrome stadium, in Marseille, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)

Marseille came close to breaking the deadlock but a header by Lucas Ocampos was saved by Alphonse Areola, and PSG’s Angel Di Maria had a shot cleared off the line by Kevin Strootman in first-half stoppage time.

There was no let-up after the break and as the tackles flew in and Tuchel was sent to the stands by referee Benoit Bastien after a heated discussion on the touchline.

Mbappe was sprung from the bench in the 62nd minute and he wasted no time breaking the deadlock, using his searing pace to blow by Boubacar Kamara and slot the ball past Steve Mandanda three minutes later.

Neymar celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after getting the breakthrough goal for PSG against Marseille. Pic: Getty
Neymar celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after getting the breakthrough goal for PSG against Marseille. Pic: Getty

Marseille did their best to get back in the game and had a Kostas Mitroglou goal ruled out in the last few minutes after Strootman was adjudged to have fouled Marquinhos in the build-up.

However, TV replays suggested that the PSG defender had run into Strootman, and when coach Garcia lost his temper while remonstrating with the fourth official, he was sent off too.

Julian Draxler wrapped up the three points deep into second-half stoppage time, finishing a counter-attack that involved Mbappe and Neymar.

with Agencies.