UEFA bans Neymar for 3 matches after Champions League outburst

Neymar will be unavailable for half of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League group stage matches next season after UEFA suspended the Brazilian three games for insulting match officials, the league announced Friday.

The striker took to Instagram shortly after PSG's defeat to Manchester United in the round of 16 in March to criticize a controversial decision made by video assistant referees during the contest. The VAR's handball ruling awarded United a penalty, which they subsequently converted. That play proved to be the decisive factor in eliminating the French champions from the competition.

Neymar will miss the opening three matches of PSG's Champions League campaign next season, barring a successful appeal.

The 27-year-old returned to the pitch for PSG's 3-1 victory over AS Monaco on Sunday after a three-month absence due to a foot injury.

PSG clinched the Ligue 1 title earlier Sunday after second-place Lille were held to a draw against Toulouse.