Gabriel Pereira suspended
F.C. Copenhagen's new defender, Gabriel Pereira, has received a 60-day ban from the Portuguese Football Association. The case has been appealed and F.C. Copenhagen is now awaiting the final verdict.
Pereira's quarantine applies from 3 August to 1 October. The Brazilian has received the ban as a result of a brawl at the end of last season's final match in Portugal between Gabriel's former club Gil Vicente and Estrela da Amadora.
The case has resulted in longer suspensions for several players, coaches and employees from both clubs.
As regards the suspension of Gabriel, the DBU (Danish Football Association) considers that it follows the Portuguese Football Association and also interprets FIFA's rules in this area, so that the suspension must be transferred to Danish competitions.
Gil Vicente have appealed the verdict with a demand for it to be suspended, as well as the annulment or drastic reduction of the verdict, and the parties are therefore now awaiting a response from the Portuguese Football Association. The answer on whether the punishment is suspended is expected to be received by Sunday at the latest.
If the Portuguese Football Association recognises that the case must have a suspensive effect, then the DBU will assess whether the transfer of the sanction to Denmark must also be suspended until a final ruling is made.
Gabriel is not suspended in UEFA tournaments.
F.C. Copenhagen have been aware of the scenario and have been waiting for the case to be finalised.
"We were aware that this scenario could arise before the agreement with Gabriel was concluded," says sporting director Sune Smith-Nielsen.
"Gil Vicente have chosen to appeal the verdict, and we are now awaiting the decision from the Portuguese Football Federation.
"Having said that, we have never had any doubts about Gabriel's great qualities, and therefore it has no influence on our desire to bring him to Copenhagen.
"It's a shame for Gabriel and for us that it may take a little longer before he can play in the Superliga, but these are the terms we stand by and we have to work from that."
Gabriel will be in the squad that later today leaves for FCK's match in Haderslev tomorrow, but he will of course will not take part in the match if the suspension is maintained.
F.C. Copenhagen has nothing further to add to the matter.