The Paraguayan goalkeeper Roberto 'Kitten' Fernandez, player of the Botafogo, was punished with three games of sanction and a fine equivalent to $ 4,860 for kicking the cabin of the VAR in a game of Bras Championshipileño.
The Superior Court of Sports Justice approved this Friday the decision followed by the club and the 32-year-old goalkeeper, who will have to “compensate the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for the damage caused to the video refereeing equipment.”
The incident occurred on August 29 at the end of the match of the sixth day of the League between Botafogo and Internacional that ended with a 2-0 defeat for the Rio de Janeiro team at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
In that match the VAR annulled two goals to the local team.
A few seconds after the final whistle, Fernández was on his way to the dressing room tunnel, but before leaving the field “he shot and knocked down the VAR booth,” according to television images and the referee's minutes reflected.
The report sent to the Sports Court found that “the equipment was damaged” and also detailed that importing a new device would cost approximately $ 9,500.
The Paraguayan was then denounced and punished for violating article 219 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice, which establishes a suspension of 30 to 180 days and a fine of between 100 (18.3 dollars) and 100,000 reais (18,300 dollars) for causing damage. in stadiums, venues or offices of sports entities.
The Attorney General's Office defended a low sanction, of three suspension parties and a fine of 26,600 reais (about 4,860 dollars), which was accepted by the Botafogo and, later, approved by the Justice.
If the club had not accepted the Attorney General's proposal, the case would have gone to trial and the player could have faced greater punishment.
The goalkeeper is also obliged to record a video in which he retracts his actions, something he did this Friday.
“I would like to apologize to the referee commission and all the referees from all over Brazil for the incident I had with the VAR. It was a bad decision. It was never my intention to knock down the booth,” he said.
“I respect all the professionals who work as referees in Brazil, in all categories. I know that VAR is a new tool, which is being used throughout the world and it came to stay and help football. We are still getting used to it, but I apologize again, “he said.
The Paraguayan has not played with Botafogo since September 23, as he is still recovering from bone edema.