Neymar Calls Football 'Really Boring' After Controversial Red Card (Video)

Neymar is grumpy, and it's not too hard to see why.

Sunday night saw Neymar, everyone's favorite bleach-blond Brazilian-slash-Barcelona target, endure a rough night during Santos' trip to Paulista rivals Ponte de Preta.

Ponte won the match 3-1 to take first place in the table, and Neymar was sent off during first-half stoppage time after a curious episode in the Ponte box.

With Santos losing 1-0 in the second minute of stoppage time, Neymar became embroiled in a dispute with a Ponte defender. Neymar swatted away a hand in his face, then fell to the pitch under light contact.

Then, after tensions settled, Neymar and Ponte defender Artur were sent off. It was the fifth red card in Neymar's career according to Reuters (via The Independent), which quoted a grumpy Neymar as saying:

"I don't know what happened. We were challenging for the ball, I got kicked and was sent off. Neither of us should have been sent off. Football is getting really boring, for the players, supporters and television viewers."

That last part is probably little more than grousing on Neymar's part, but the 21-year-old has a point about the red card. At best, he could have received a warning after being provoked. At worst, a yellow would have calmed the situation.

Even so, Santos manager Muricy Ramalho said Neymar should have no excuses. Neymar, said Ramalho, should be accustomed to provocations.

"He needs to keep out of trouble," said Ramalho. "Without Neymar, we lose his speed, which is our main attacking weapon. We really suffer when he gets sent off."

What do you think, readers? Was Neymar sent off unfairly? Was he provoked?

See for yourself in the clip above, which serves as our Set Piece Video of the Day for this Monday. Then let us know what you think in the comments below.

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