Bahia condemned what they described as verbal abuse allegedly directed by Santos player Neymar at Rodrigo Nestor after Santos beat Bahia 1-0 on Saturday in the Brazilian league. Neymar was later sent off during the match.
Bahia statement
Bahia said, in an official statement: "Bahia deplore and condemn the verbal abuse to which our player Nestor was subjected during Saturday's match against Santos. Thanks to its history filled with successes on the pitch, and its continued commitment to social causes off it, Bahia have established an identity that is a source of pride for their fans, and have become a role model in football."
The statement went on: "Respect for others and a sense of responsibility are part of these values, and will remain firmly embedded in our principles. Our fans, known for their passion and their history, deserve respect."
The statement continued: "Among the millions of fans belonging to Bahia, known by the nickname the Tricolour, there are also many children who admire a large number of players and heroes and take them as role models. Therefore, we hope that public figures realise the responsibility that comes with their words and the example they set for others."
What happened in the match
Santos won 1-0. Neymar was sent off during Santos's 1-0 win after covering his mouth with his hand during a verbal altercation with Nestor. The dismissal came under the rule that has become known as the "Vinicius Junior rule".
Neymar admitted he was wrong to cover his mouth but denied directing any comment at Nestor. Neymar accused Nestor of committing "one of the dirtiest tricks in football".
Responses from Nestor and Duda Vargao
Nestor confirmed to journalists after the match that what Neymar said to him was "an act showing a great lack of respect, whether towards me personally or towards the Bahia shirt".
Duda Vargao, Bahia's goalkeeping coach, said on Instagram on Sunday that he had lost all respect for Neymar since the incident and branded Neymar "spoilt, arrogant and conceited". Vargao posted on his Instagram account on Sunday, saying: "Yesterday was a day on which I lost all my respect for a great player, and nothing more than that. No one told me what happened, and I did not watch a news clip about the incident, I saw it myself! I saw with my own eyes the extent of Neymar's indulgence, vanity and arrogance, and how he believes he is above right and wrong, while everyone around him defends him. He showed a lack of respect towards Rogerio Ceni, Bahia's coach, Rodrigo Nestor and our institution."