Posted at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, September 27, 2007
Soccer: Defender suspended for foul on seal dribbler
Associated Press
SAO PAULO, Brazil — An Atletico Mineiro defender was suspended 120 days for tackling striker Kerlon as he attempted his "seal dribble," in which he heads the ball while running past opponents.Brazil's top sports tribunal decided late yesterday to suspend Coelho for leveling Kerlon in a 4-3 loss to Cruzeiro in a Brazilian league match Sept. 16.
Coelho was immediately ejected by the referee, and the play stirred a controversy in Brazil.
Some players say the move is disrespectful because it breaks soccer's unwritten code, and that Kerlon uses the dribble to show off. But fans love it, and most soccer analysts stood by Kerlon's move.
The 19-year-old Kerlon said he will continue using the dribble when he feels it's necessary.
Coelho could have been suspended for more than a year.
"I didn't expect a suspension this long," he told the UOL Web site. "We'll see if we can appeal it."
