Cruzeiro’s bid to have defender Fabrício Bruno available for Saturday’s crucial match against vitória has been shot down by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD). The Brazilian Championship Series A clash,set for 4 PM Eastern Time at Mineirão,is a vital fixture for the 31st round. Bruno, a key player for the “celestial club,” is currently serving a suspension following his expulsion in last Sunday’s goalless draw against Palmeiras.
Sources at Itatiaia confirm that Cruzeiro formally petitioned the STJD on Tuesday, seeking to overturn the red card issued to their number 15. However, Luís Otávio Veríssimo Teixeira, the president of the football STJD, delivered his verdict early Saturday morning, denying the request. This last-minute rejection has understandably caused frustration within the Cruzeiro camp.
The club maintains that the expulsion of Fabrício Bruno was unwarranted. The defender received two yellow cards, leading to his dismissal. The second caution, which sealed his fate, was for a foul on Allan in the 70th minute of the match.
STJD’s Stance on the Decision
itatiaia has obtained details of the STJD’s ruling. The court cited a lack of grounds within the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD) and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) regulations to justify the immediate suspension of the referee’s decision. The STJD also pointed to a lack of precedent for such an action.
The court’s decision noted that cruzeiro’s argument echoed a recent case involving Grêmio. In October, the Prosecutor’s Office had sided with Grêmio’s argument to cancel cards for players Marlon and Kannemann during a match against Bragantino. while acknowledging a degree of interpretative versatility in that instance, the STJD emphasized that such “immediate solutions” were not applicable in Bruno’s case.
