Rio de Janeiro, Aug 3 (IANS): Brazil and Fluminense striker Fred has been handed a four-match suspension for elbowing a Campeonato Brasileiro opponent.
A Rio de Janeiro sports tribunal Friday found the 29-year-old had acted recklessly in the incident with Vasco da Gama midfielder Jomar July 21, reports Xinhua.
Having already missed Fluminense's 0-2 loss to Gremio last Sunday, Fred will be unavailable for the club's matches against Ponte Preta, Flamengo and Corinthians.
"I am upset with the sentence which in my vision was extremely harsh. I have seen incidents that were a lot worse that didn't receive this type of punishment," he said after the hearing.
Fluminense confirmed the club would appeal the decision. Their coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is also without suspended midfielder Diguinho and injured playmaker Deco for Sunday's trip to Ponte Preta.