PARIS, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar was handed a three-match suspension by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Friday due to his clash with a fan at the French Cup awarding ceremony.
Considering the sanction to be "severe", the Ligue 1 champions and the player have decided to file an appeal against it.
PSG lost to Rennes on penalty shoot-out in the French Cup final on April 27. Neymar was found to hit the fan's face when he climbed the stairs to receive the medal at the ceremony.
The FFF's disciplinary committee made the decision following its Thursday's meeting. The Brazilian star can play Saturday's trip to Angers as the ban starts from next Monday, but is set to miss the final two rounds of the league this season, and French Super Cup against Rennes on August 3 as next season's curtain-raiser.
Another two-match ban was suspended by the ruling body for him.
"In view of the insults suffered by several Paris Saint-Germain players, including Neymar, at the end of the Coupe de France (French Cup) final, and the strong case put by Paris Saint-Germain to the commission, the club considers this sanction to be severe," the club swiftly responded through a statement.
"Paris Saint-Germain and Neymar have decided to appeal this decision to the FFF High Commission of Appeal," it added.
Neymar had been banned three matches by UEFA for his inappropriate words towards the referee following an earlier Champions League match against Manchester United.
According to French media, he has appealed against the European football governing body's decision.
