[Saba Sports News] In Matchday 19 of the Brasileirão, Cruzeiro secured a 2-1 away victory over Internacional, yet the fixture was marred by a horrific leg-breaking injury. In the 59th minute of the contest, Gabriel Pec, Cruzeiro’s new signing, suffered a reckless sliding tackle from Internacional defender Victor Gabriel. The wounded player’s leg was bleeding heavily on the spot. He was carried off on a stretcher and escorted back to the dressing room by staff members. Shortly afterwards, Cruzeiro officially confirmed that the malicious tackle caused a fractured tibia in Gabriel Pec’s left leg, and the player will undergo surgery. It is estimated that Gabriel Pec will be sidelined for three to four months. At present, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) has filed charges against Internacional centre-back Victor Gabriel, requesting a suspension equal to Gabriel Pec’s recovery period, capped at a maximum of 180 days. Prosecutors seek to try the defender under Article 254 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice, which governs violent conduct and stipulates a suspension of one to six matches. Meanwhile, they request application of the aggravating circumstance laid out in Paragraph 3 of the same article: “In cases where serious violent play renders the victim unable to continue practicing the sport, the offender may remain suspended until the victim is fit to resume training, subject to a maximum suspension period of 180 days.”
Gabriel Pec joined Cruzeiro from LA Galaxy this month for a transfer fee of 10.5 million euros. However, he suffered a serious injury after making just one appearance for the club and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.