Brazilian court suspends defender until opponent returns

A Brazilian football court has issued an unprecedented suspension to Internacional defender Victor Gabriel, banning him for up to six months or until his injured opponent returns to training. The ruling from Brazil's Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, follows a severe tackle that fractured the left tibia of Cruzeiro winger Gabriel Pec during a Serie A match on July 22.

The court determined that a standard penalty was insufficient given the severity of the injury. In its decision, the STJD stated that the offender may remain suspended until the injured party is able to return to training, respecting a maximum period of 180 days. The ruling is subject to appeal.

The incident occurred during a match between Internacional and Cruzeiro, which the visiting Cruzeiro side won 2-1. Victor Gabriel, a 22-year-old substitute who had been on the pitch for 14 minutes, was sent off for the challenge, which he described as a desperate attempt to stop a counterattack. The tackle left Pec, 25, writhing in agony with a visibly bleeding leg before he was carted off the field on a stretcher.

Pec, who was making his debut for Cruzeiro after a recent transfer from Major...