Neymar's 'Hand of God' Gamble: Red Card and Apology Rock Brazilian Football

Neymar's 'Hand of God' Red Card: Santos Star Apologizes After Controversial Ejection Brazilian football star Neymar was sent off during Santos' 1-0 defeat to Botafogo on Sunday night. The incident occurred when Neymar, in a desperate attempt to score, punched the ball into the net, mirroring Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal from the 1986 World Cup. The referee, witnessing the action, immediately issued Neymar a second yellow card, resulting in his expulsion from the match. The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media and among football fans worldwide. Many criticized Neymar's actions, while others defended him, citing the pressure of the game. Following the match, Neymar took to Instagram to apologize: "I made a mistake, forgive me. Today, if I hadn't been sent off, I'm sure we would have gotten the three points." The loss leaves Santos in 18th place in the league table after 11 matches. Neymar's absence will undoubtedly be felt as Santos fight to improve their position in the coming weeks. The incident serves as a reminder of the high stakes and intense emotions that characterize professional football.