India, July 29 -- Internacional defender Victor Gabriel has been handed an unusual suspension by Brazil's sports court after seriously injuring Cruzeiro forward Gabriel Pec during a Serie A match between the two sides.

Victor was shown a red card for a reckless challenge that left Pec with a fractured left tibia. The striker, who joined Cruzeiro from Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy earlier this month, was making his debut for the Brazilian club in a match they eventually won.

Brazil's Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) ruled that the standard punishment was insufficient given the severity of the injury and instead imposed a suspension that will last until Pec is fit to return to training - a period expected to be around six mont...