Brazilian Court Links Defender Ban To Recovery

Victor Gabriel, Gabriel Pec, Internacional and Cruzeiro
Tuesday

Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice suspended Internacional defender Victor Gabriel until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec returns to training. Pec suffered a fractured left tibia requiring surgery after Gabriel’s challenge during a Brazilian Serie A match.

The recovery-linked punishment is capped at 180 days and can be appealed. The court used a provision allowing longer sanctions when serious violent play leaves an opponent unable to compete, judging the usual one-to-six-match suspension insufficient.