PSG Hit by Joao Neves Suspension Before Super Cup Showdown
Paris Saint-Germain’s preparations for the UEFA Super Cup just took a dramatic turn. The club’s young midfield star, Joao Neves, will be absent from the line-up against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, thanks to a suspension stemming from a wild moment in the recent Club World Cup final. Neves, who joined PSG from Benfica this summer and quickly became a fan favorite, saw red for grabbing Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella by the hair. This wasn’t just any late-game scuffle; the incident turned heated fast, drawing in players and even the managers.
Right after Neves was dismissed during PSG’s 3-0 loss to Chelsea, the situation got uglier. Luis Enrique, PSG’s manager, got involved on the sideline, getting face-to-face with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro. He even shoved the Chelsea player, adding more fuel to the fire. While Enrique now faces his own disciplinary headache, it’s Neves’ absence that’s making noise in Paris this week.
How UEFA’s Rules Are Shaking Up the Super Cup
Neves’ suspension caused confusion initially. The Club World Cup won’t be held again for years, so where should his ban apply? According to UEFA’s recent announcement, Neves must sit out PSG’s next European game: that means the UEFA Super Cup clash with Tottenham in Udine. And that’s not all. UEFA’s rules mean the ban also follows him into France’s Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre.
PSG couldn’t have picked a worse time to lose one of their brightest midfielders. Neves has brought fresh energy and control since swapping Benfica for the Parc des Princes, so his suspension stings. Coach Luis Enrique is already balancing an evolving squad and now needs a new midfield plan just days before one of the season’s biggest matches.
On the flip side, Tottenham are quietly smiling. Their new boss, Thomas Frank, may be dealing with injury headaches—creative leaders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still doubts—but Neves’ absence gives Spurs one less problem to worry about in midfield. For Frank’s first competitive match in charge, this break could prove vital as he looks to claim a statement win against the Champions League holders.
All eyes will be on Udine, Italy, at 8 p.m. BST on August 15, as the Europa League champs Tottenham take on PSG, who less than a month ago were celebrating European glory. Now, thanks to a hair-pull and some UEFA rulebook fine print, the contest just got even more interesting.