Rio de Janeiro, Dec 28 (IANS): Fluminense will stay in Brazilian football's top division after a sports tribunal quashed an appeal by relegated rivals Portuguesa.

The tribunal unanimously upheld Portuguesa's four-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in the final match of the season Friday, reports Xinhua.

Portuguesa were left 17th in the league standings with 44 points, two behind Fluminense. The bottom four sides in Brazil's Serie A are demoted to the second division.

The punishment is related to the introduction of suspended midfielder Heverton during the second half of Portuguesa's 0-0 draw with Gremio Dec 8.

"Portuguesa made a mistake," tribunal spokesperson Decio Neuhaus said. "We need to apply the rules."

Officials from the Sao Paulo-based club said they had been unaware of Heverton's ineligibility.

Portuguesa president Manuel da Lupa hinted the club could take the case further.

"It's not over yet," he said. "We did our part on the field. It's absurd what is happening to Portuguesa."