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PSG

Neymar injury? I played the ball, claims Sarr

The Marseille player was involved in a challenge with the PSG forward that left the Brazilian in tears, but the midfielder denied intent.

Neymar injury? I played the ball, claims Sarr
AFP

Neymar's suspected ankle injury was sustained entirely accidentally, says Marseille's Bouna Sarr, who challenged the Brazilian before he left the field on a stretcher.

Paris Saint-Germain led Le Classique 3-0 in on Sunday, with Neymar having set up Edinson Cavani after 55 minutes to wrap up the victory after Kylian Mbappe's opener and a Rolando own goal.

But with PSG coach Unai Emery having already used all three substitutes, Neymar was hurt in a collision with Sarr in the closing stages at the Parc des Princes.

The pair challenged for the ball in the air and the PSG forward appeared to damage his right ankle when he landed awkwardly.

PSG head coach Unai Emery said he is optimistic about Neymar recovering from his twisted ankle in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League on March 6.

But captain Thiago Silva told Canal+ he does not expect his compatriot to be fit to take on Marseille again in Wednesday's Coupe de France quarter-final.

Neymar was hit by a heavy challenge by Florian Thauvin early in Sunday's clash and the 26-year-old was seemingly targeted by Marseille, having been fouled eight times over the course of the game.

Sarr, however, claimed he was not at fault in the incident, which left Neymar in tears as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

"Neymar? Me, I saw only one thing is that I played the ball," Sarr told reporters post-match. 

"I didn't go at all with the intention of doing it. This is not my type of game at all. "Apparently he twisted his ankle. It's unfortunate for him, but it's a game fact like any other."