July 29 (UPI) — Internacional’s Victor Gabriel is suspended until Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec returns from a broken left leg injury, Brazil’s sports court said.
Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice, or STJD, announced the ruling Tuesday. Pec fractured a tibia after Gabriel tackled him during a 2-1 win over Internacional on July 22 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Gabriel, who attended the STJD committee hearing for the ruling, apologized to Pec.
“I had the feeling that I would get to the ball first, and I did,” Gabriel said. “Since the field was quite slippery and wet, I ended up hitting the ball and then I didn’t have time to pull my leg back, and that’s how this somewhat harder tackle happened, but without any intention of causing harm to my fellow professional or any malice.”
The defender was given a red card for the incident. Pec’s injury required surgery. Gabriel’s ban, which will end when Pec returns to training, is capped at 180 days.
“I’ve always been a loyal guy and I’ve always gone onto the field to, above all, defend my club and my dream,” Gabriel said. “I’ve always tried to be as loyal as possible to my teammates and opponents. It was a completely unfortunate incident.
“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.
“Since that night, it’s been incredibly difficult for me. My whole life I’ve prepared for moments of happiness, and instead, it’s been sleepless nights.”
Internacional (5-9-6) sits at No. 16 in the Brazilian Serie A standings. Cruzeiro (7-7-6) sits at No. 11, 17 points behind first-place Palmeiras (13-2-5).
