An exceptional case was applied in the highest Brazilian sports court (STJD) after Porto Alegre’s “International” defender Victor Gabriel severely injured Belo Horizonte’s “Cruzeiro” forward Gabriel Peca.
Warning: the injury image may be shocking:
The most painful thing is that these were G. Peca’s debut matches at the “Cruzeiro” club. The team playing in the top Brazilian league had just paid a club-record $12 million buyout to the “Los Angeles Galaxy” team for the footballer.
However, G. Peca’s debut ended with a broken leg and surgery.
According to initial forecasts, the player will not be able to play for 3–4 months.
So the mentioned Brazilian sports court decided that a regular disqualification is not enough in this case – V. Gabriel will not be allowed to play until G. Peca returns to training.
However, this punishment can last a maximum of 180 days (or 6 months).
“I don’t sleep at night and pray for his health. I sincerely apologize,” V. Gabriel is quoted as saying, initially not even agreeing with the red card shown by the referee.
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“I thought I would be the first to play the ball, which I did. But the field was slippery, and after I touched the ball, I had no time to pull my foot back. That’s why this episode happened. I had no intention of injuring my colleague, another professional footballer.”
“The operation was successful. Thank God, because without Him nothing would have been possible,” G. Peca wrote from the hospital room. “I am starting rehabilitation and fully trust God. I will strive to return to the field as soon as possible so I can do what I love again. And pursue my dreams.”
