SAO PAULO — Internacional defender Víctor Gabriel has received a suspension from Brazilian soccer until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec is able to return to training after recovering from a broken leg.
The decision was made on Tuesday by Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice, the nation’s foremost independent authority on sports disciplinary matters.
The court found the standard penalty inadequate due to the serious nature of the incident, which occurred during a league match on July 22. Pec suffered a fracture of the left tibia as a result of a challenge from Víctor Gabriel.
Though the suspension may last up to 180 days, it could be lifted sooner if Pec is given medical clearance to resume practice before that period ends. The ruling is subject to appeal.
In court, Víctor Gabriel expressed that he never intended to injure Pec, who previously played for LA Galaxy in the MLS before transferring to Cruzeiro for a record fee of at least $12 million during the World Cup break.
“I have spent many nights distressed, praying for him, and I sincerely apologize to everyone at Cruzeiro,” he stated.
Charged with violent conduct under Article 254 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice, Víctor Gabriel received an extended suspension due to a provision allowing penalties to align with the recovery period of the injured player in cases of severe injuries.
The verdict was not unanimous. One member of the panel, Rodrigo Steinmann Bayer, initially proposed a standard six-match suspension without the time-specific extension.
However, court president Jorge Octavio Lavocat Galvão, along with Eduardo Xible Salles Ramos and Aline Gonçalves Jatahy, voted to impose the longer suspension.