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PSG's Neymar fumes after Lyon's Lucas Paqueta booked for rainbow flick

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has said that the "beautiful game is over" after Lyon player Lucas Paqueta was shown a yellow card for attempting a rainbow flick during a Ligue 1 match on Wednesday.

Paqueta scored in Lyon's 3-1 victory over Troyes but in stoppage time, the midfielder attempted to flick the ball over Giulian Biancone, who reacted angrily to the piece of skill.

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Referee Stephanie Frappart booked Paqueta following the trick, but Neymar was disappointed and criticised the decision on Instagram.

"This episode is very, very sad, receiving a yellow card for a dribble," he wrote. "The technical gesture is a solution, no matter where it takes place and no matter what minute it is performed.

"The same thing happened to me last season. This year, it's happened to Paqueta. Honestly, I don't understand the reasons. The famous 'Joga Bonito' [beautiful game] is over. Enjoy while it lasts."

Although it doesn't specifically exist in the Laws of the Game in France, a referee can brandish a yellow card if they believe a player is mocking an opponent.

Players receiving bookings for this doesn't happen often as it is down to the official's interpretation of what has happened. It usually applies when a team are losing by a large margin.

Neymar reacted angrily when he was booked by referee Jerome Brisard for performing the same skill in PSG's 5-0 win against Montpellier last February.

The Brazil international confronted the officials in the tunnel at half-time and following the match, he wrote on his Instagram: "I just play football."

Neymar helped PSG continue their winning start to the league campaign with a 2-1 win at Metz on Wednesday thanks to a double from new signing Achraf Hakimi.

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