One day after Santos 4-2 victory over Atletico-GO in Brazilian soccer league, the team decided on Thursday to fine 18-year-old striker Neymar.
During Wednesday's match, the athlete verbally assaulted coach Dorival Junior after not being allowed to take a penalty kick, leading to a decision to fine the player.
According to team president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, the club is 100 percent behind Neymar and the rest of the team in hopes of getting past the recent decline in Neymar's attitude.
Ribeiro fears that Neymar's career may be negatively affected by his explosive behavior on the field. The club expressed their deepest wishes to motivate the striker to radically alter his attitude both on and off the field.
In order to stimulate a prompt change, the club decided to fine the athlete. In a meeting on Thursday with the athlete, his father, his agent and the club's administration, the club opted to take a disciplinary action.
The value of the fine was not revealed. Coach Dorival Junior expressed his worry for the young and talented athlete and stated his support for the player, hoping that the athlete finds a psychologist in order to work out some of his personal problems that lead to difficulties on the field.
Neymar is expected to meet with the rest of his teammates before Thursday's team practice in order to clarify his actions and ask for forgiveness.