Brazilian international Felipe has been suspended for six months after he punched an opposing player, Brazil’s Sportv television channel reported.
The player’s lawyers said he would appeal and may be able to play for Fluminense until a second hearing, scheduled for March 17.
Felipe claimed Campinense midfielder Marcos Mendes made comments about Felipe’s pregnant wife, but Antonio Toledo Gaspar, chairman of the committee that banned Felipe said that there was no excuse for the assault.
“I think this is a fair punishment. Felipe has to set a good example…the images of him punching a fellow player have been repeated endlessly on the television…and that gives him a higher profile than (Brazilian President) Lula,” he said.
