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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Neymar issued apology after handball red card</li><li>Brazil star claimed first yellow card could have been avoided</li><li>Botafogo beat Santos 1-0 with late goal</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Neymar insists 'desperation' to score a goal led to failed 'Hand of God' attempt in grovelling apology as handball red card proves costly in late Santos defeat to Botafogo

Serie A

Botafogo RJ

Mirassol

Fortaleza

Santos FC

<p>Neymar was sent off in the 76th minute after he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-santos-superstar-sent-off-blatantly-trying-score-with-hand-brazilian-serie-a-strugglers-lose-against-botafogo-with-ten-men/blt255d9da3ab6822ac#csab361119678839c7" target="_blank">picked up a second yellow card for punching the ball into the net</a>. The Brazil icon's absence proved costly as Botafogo scored the winning goal 10 minutes later and secured a crucial three points in Brazil's Serie A.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>After the game, the 33-year-old attacker posted an apology on social media as he wrote: "Desperation of scoring sometimes causes us to commit mistakes... I want to apologise to my teammates and also to the fans! I made a mistake, forgive me!!! Today, if I didn't get sent off, I’m sure we could get the 3 points.. Congratulations to the team for today's game! Those 3 points can be put on my account!!!"</p><p></p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blta032df7a2a1e1ee5/Screenshot_2025-06-02-13-10-04-54_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blta032df7a2a1e1ee5/Screenshot_2025-06-02-13-10-04-54_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blta032df7a2a1e1ee5/Screenshot_2025-06-02-13-10-04-54_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Neymar apology Instagram" data-source="" data-copyright="IG:@neymarjr" data-portal-copyright="IG:@neymarjr" perform:prop="uuid:blta032df7a2a1e1ee5;width:1080;height:1737"></picture><p></p>

WHAT NEYMAR SAID

<p>Neymar also claimed that he was wrongfully shown his first yellow card, thereby indicating that his sending off could have been avoided, as he added: "Note: second yellow has to be given, but the first one is the judge's drainage, I made a mistake and I'm already taking yellow... What a bad judge. That's just my opinion...please don't punish me anymore."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Santos will be back in action in the Brazilian top division on June 13 as they take on Fortaleza away from home - but they will be without the suspended Neymar.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Neymar insists 'desperation' to score a goal led to failed 'Hand of God' attempt in grovelling apology as handball red card proves costly in late Santos defeat to Botafogo | Goal.com

Neymar has issued a grovelling apology after his needless red card for a blatant handball proved costly in Santos&apos; loss to Botafogo on Sunday.

Neymar insists &apos;desperation&apos; to score a goal led to failed &apos;Hand of God&apos; attempt in grovelling apology as handball red card proves costly in late Santos defeat to Botafogo

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