Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been suspended for six matches for his part in a brawl at the end of Grêmio’s Copa Libertadores match against Huachipato.
The former Real Madrid and Brazil coach allegedly started the incident after he made fun of his Chilean opponents upon the final whistle of the decisive Group Eight match at the CAP stadium, which ended 1-1.
Luxemburgo was also fined $25,000 by the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), who posted the sanctions on their website on Monday.
The 60-year-old said: “As I see it, this [sanction] was totally unjustified. It was a superficial analysis. The provocation came from [Huachipato].
“But if the Conmebol saw it that way, all we can do is regret it.
“I only escaped the confusion trying to get to the dressing room and laughing at what was happening. If I got six matches for that, it’s absurd."
TV replays showed Luxemburgo laughing at Huachipato coach Jorge Pellicier, before mayhem broke out at the entrance to the tunnel as players, coaching staff and invading home fans became embroiled in a brawl.
There were bans and fines issued by the Asuncion-based Conmebol for other members of the coaching staff and players of both sides.
The heaviest punishment went to Luxemburgo’s right hand man Emerson, who was banned for eight matches and fined $20,000, while Grêmio defender Douglas was suspended for five games and fined $10,000.
Pellicier was suspended for one match and fined $1,000 and three of his players were handed harsher punishments.
Source: gulfnews.com
