Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) has handed Internacional defender Victor Gabriel an unusual suspension, ruling that he cannot play again until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec is medically cleared to resume training following the serious injury he suffered from the defender’s tackle.
According to Marca, the decision followed the Sixth Disciplinary Commission’s review of the challenge during Internacional’s 2-1 home defeat to Cruzeiro in a Brazilian Serie A match.
The incident occurred 13 minutes into the second half when Victor Gabriel lunged into a challenge on Pec with excessive force. The referee immediately produced a straight red card.
Although Pec initially left the pitch with what appeared to be a deep cut to his leg, further medical examinations revealed a fractured left tibia, forcing the striker to undergo surgery.
Ordinarily, violent conduct attracts a suspension of between one and six matches. However, the disciplinary panel ruled that such a punishment was inadequate given the severity of the injury.
