Brazilian club Bahia have condemned the alleged "verbal abuse" directed at their player Rodrigo Nestor by Santos star Neymar during Saturday's league game.
Neymar, 34, was sent off under the "Vinícius Júnior rule" for covering his mouth with his hand as he argued with Nestor during his side's 1-0 win in Brazil's Serie A.
While Neymar admitted he was wrong to cover his mouth, he denied making any comment at Nestor and accused the midfielder of making "one of the dirties tricks in football."
Bahia said in a statement: "Bahia deplores and condemns the verbal abuse suffered by our player Nestor during Saturday's match at Santos. With a history marked by successes on the pitch and a constant commitment to social causes off it, Bahia has forged an identity that is a source of pride for its supporters and has become a benchmark in football.
"Respect for others and a sense of responsibility are part of these values and will remain firmly rooted in our ideals. Our supporters, renowned for their passion and history, deserve respect."
Nestor told reporters after the game that what Neymar said to him was "highly disrespectful -- both toward me and toward the Bahia jersey."
Bahia added that Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, should set a better example.
"Among the millions of 'tricolores,' there are also many children who admire and are inspired by numerous players and idols," the statement added. "We therefore hope that public figures will recognise the responsibility that comes with their words and the example they set."
Bahia goalkeeping coach Duda Varjão said that since the episode, he has lost all respect for Neymar, whom he described as "spoiled, overbearing and arrogant."
Varjão posted on Instagram on Sunday: "Yesterday was a day when I lost all respect for a great 'player' [nothing more than that]; nobody told me about it, there was no news clip... I saw it first-hand! I witnessed at first hand just how spoiled and arrogant/overbearing Neymar is, and how he thinks he's above good and evil, with everyone around him defending him. Disrespectful towards [Bahia coach] Rogério [Ceni], [Rodrigo] Nestor, and our institution."