Corinthians striker Memphis Depay could be suspended for up to six games after using his mobile phone on the substitutes’ bench during a match in the Brazilian top flight.
The former Manchester United forward was filmed by television cameras using a phone during their 1-1 draw against Flamengo on Sunday – before being approached by a Corinthians coach.
The staff member appeared to tell the 32-year-old to stop, with Depay seen putting his phone back into his pocket.
Depay has been reported to the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice) after being charged under Article 258 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD), which provides for punishment for those who act contrary to sports ethics.
In the complaint, which a report in Brazilian outlet UOL has reportedly accessed, Depay’s conduct ‘violates the athlete’s duties of loyalty and discipline’.
It stated: ‘The conduct of a high-profile athlete has a strong capacity to influence behavior, potentially normalizing the use of electronic devices on the bench, which would weaken disciplinary control, create opportunities for improper communication, and generate additional difficulties for referees and organizers in enforcing the rules.’
The penalty for conviction is a suspension of one to six games.
Depay had been taken off in the 22nd minute of the game due to a reported thigh injury.
He said after the game that he had been contacting the Netherlands staff with an update, given he was due to join up with the national team for the international break.
‘Just to clarify, my moment with the phone was to communicate with the medical staff in the Netherlands at that moment,’ he wrote on X.
‘I came outside to show support to my team while I could’ve stayed inside the dressing room with the injury.
‘I’m upset with the result of the game as well. We keep working for better days.’
The Netherlands’ all-time top scorer had already been dealing with a knee injury but was still called up for the team’s upcoming friendlies against Norway on Friday night and Ecuador next Tuesday.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman is not optimistic about his chances of playing for the national team this month.
‘He might still join us, but it doesn’t look good,’ Koeman said on Tuesday. ‘We might bring him in later, perhaps for the second match. But if that’s not feasible, then there’s no need.’
Meanwhile, Corinthians are languishing in 11th after eight matches, with their state rivals Flamengo four points ahead of them in fourth.
On Sunday, former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta had given Flamengo the lead before Corinthians pulled the scores level through Yuri Alberto.
Corinthians were unable to push on and find a winner despite their opponents being reduced to 10 men in the second half.
Depay joined the side in September 2024 from Atletico Madrid following spells at United, Lyon and Barcelona.
Since moving to Brazil, he has scored 20 goals and added 15 assists in 77 appearances across all competitions.
