Sao Caetano have been given a 24-point deduction after the death of Serginho.
The 30-year-old had been diagnosed as having arrhythmia in pre-season, but the club insist that further tests did not suggest that playing would put the defender at risk.
A CBF tribunal decided the punishment, and also banning the club doctor Paulo Forte for four years and the clubs president Nairo Ferreira for two years.
This will mean Sao Caetano will drop from fourth in the Brazilian championship to 14th with two games left to play.
However it is likely the club will appeal.
