Rio de Janeiro, Nov 7 (IANS): Brazil striker Diego Tardelli has been banned for four Brazilian Serie A matches for using abusive language towards a referee.
The 29-year-old Atletico Mineiro player was also fined 10,000 Brazilian reais (about $4,000) by Brazil's Superior Sports Justice Tribunal Thursday, reports Xinhua.
Tardelli's expletive-strewn tirade at referee Elmo Alves Resende Cunha occurred during his team's 1-1 draw with Bahia Oct 21.
The decision means the former Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven forward will not be available until Atletico's penultimate league match of the season against Coritiba Nov 30.
Tardelli has scored nine goals from 22 matches in Brazil's top flight this season. He was rewarded for his consistent form by being recalled by national coach Dunga for Brazil's friendlies against Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Japan in the past two months.