Brazilian footballer hit with huge ban after rare ruling over horror tackle on opponent

Internacional defender Victor Gabriel has received a rare ban after his mistimed challenge left Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec with a fractured left tibia.

The incident took place during a Serie A match on July 22, with Cruzeiro running out 2-1 winners.

Gabriel’s horror challenge, which left Pec, who was making his debut after a move from LA Galaxy, in heaps of pain, with blood pouring from his leg, and saw the defender receive a straight red card.

Pec has since undergone surgery. A statement posted to his Instagram page read: “The surgery was successfully completed.

“To the honour and glory of God. Without Him, none of this would have been possible.

“I thank and praise the Lord for the lives of the doctors – Sergio, Rodrigo and Gustavo.

“I also want to thank all the supporters, family members, friends and staff. Thank you for so many messages of love and affection.

“In the midst of this challenge, I have chosen to keep my eyes fixed on Christ.

“He is my strength, my refuge, my fortress, where I find peace and joy. And I have been learning to find contentment even in the midst of trials.

“I am doing my best to recover as well as possible and as quickly as I can so I can continue doing what I love. My dreams and goals remain intact.”

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On July 29, Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice determined that the usual three-match ban was insufficient and instead handed out a more severe penalty lasting a maximum of six months, or as long as it takes Pec to recover.

"The offender may remain suspended until the injured party is able to return to training, respecting a maximum period of 180 days," it said.

It must be noted that the decision may still be subject to an appeal.

pearing during the legal proceedings, Gabriel explained how he apologised to Pec and asked for forgiveness.

“It was a completely unfortunate incident,” the Internacional defender said during the proceedings.

"I apologized to him and offered my help. I asked him to forgive me for not having had any ill intent, and all I could do at that moment was pray for him."

Reuters , the court questioned the evidence provided by Internacional, with the club providing audio from the match’s VAR. Issuing its defence, the club then asked for it to be “disregarded as its veracity could not be proved”

The Serie A club explained how it never intended to act in bad faith in the following statement:

"Both the ​law firm ⁠and Internacional emphasize that they never intended to act in bad faith in any way within the context of the proceedings in question.

"There was, however, ⁠a recognized ​error in the collection and use of the ​content presented in the player's defense, which was immediately acknowledged through an express request to remove the ​audio from the case file."