Why is Neymar so badly treated by referees in Spain?

Neymar Jr cannot play in the second leg of Barcelona's Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid after receiving his third of the season in the tournament. 

It is not a new situation. The Brazilian already missed the Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach and a La Liga match against Osasuna through suspension too. 

In total the Barcelona star has received 11 yellow cards in 26 games this season. 

The problem is that the Brazilian has been punished many times for protesting against tackles he has received which were not penalised, or for squaring up to the players who assaulted him, many times in the right.

The idea that the Brazilian wants to provoke his rivals is one that has permeated the thoughts of officials, who think that sometimes he is trying trick them by simulating fouls.

He was booked against Real Sociedad for diving but it was actually caused by a tackle. Barcelona appealed but it was not accepted and now he is suspended after picking up a booking in the next cup game. 

Neymar does not tend to foul opponents, having committed just 16 in 20 league games so far. But against him, there have been 69, an average of 4.31 per game. 

• 1 Neymar · Barcelona · 69 (4,31)
• 2 Petros · Betis · 57 (3,17)
• 3 Parejo · Valencia · 55 (2,89)
• 4 Samu Castillejo · Villarreal · 52 (2,89)
• 5 Franco Vázquez · Sevilla · 48 · (2,67)
• 6 Bruno Gama · Deportivo · 47 (3,36)
• 7 Pablo Hernández · Celta · 46 (2,88)
• 8 Vitolo · Sevilla · 46 (2,56)
• 9 Vela · R. Sociedad · 44 (2,32)
• 10 Raúl García · Athletic Club · 44 (2,32)

COMPARISON

Neymar is already the 52nd most booked player in La Liga history. But comparing his foul count to the players who commit the most fouls showed that they do not get booked anywhere near as much. 

PUNISHING THE STAR

On the other hand is the recurring debate about Neymar's style of play. The stats show just how much he loves to dribble, the only player who has done so more than team-mate Leo Messi.

• 1 Neymar · Barcelona · 165 (10,31)
• 2 Messi · Barcelona · 123 (7,24)
• 3 Gabriel Pires · Leganés · 110 (5,79)
• 4 Juanpi · Málaga · 107 (5,63)
• 5 Vitolo · Sevilla · 101 (5,61)
• 6 Andreas Pereira · Granada · 101 (5,61)
• 7 Nani · Valencia · 98 (6,53)
• 8 Pedro León · Eibar · 97 (4,85)
• 9 Carcela-González · Granada · 96 (8,00)
• 10 Cancelo · Valencia · 95 (5,28)