Internacional captain Alan Patrick will appear before the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) on Thursday over comments criticizing the referee after the club’s defeat to Fluminense. He could be suspended for up to six matches during the closing stretch of the Brazilian Championship.
The midfielder was charged under Article 243-F of Brazil’s Sports Justice Code, which covers offenses against a person’s honor. The rule provides for a one-to-six-match suspension and a fine ranging from R$100 to R$100,000.
Referee Lucas Casagrande’s match report did not mention Alan Patrick’s conduct. The STJD prosecutor’s office brought the case based on remarks the player made in a post-match interview, in which he said the referee lacked the nerve to issue a second yellow card to Renê for a foul that, in his view, stopped an Internacional player from going through on goal.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Thursday before the STJD’s Fourth Disciplinary Commission. Alan Patrick is already set to miss Internacional’s match against Coritiba because of an injury. If he receives a suspension of at least one match, he will also be unavailable for the game against Vasco in Rio de Janeiro on November 19, when the league resumes after the international break.
Sources: Globo Esporte.