São Paulo manager Ney Franco has hit out at the “exaggerated” four-match ban handed to striker Luis Fabiano this week, after a confrontation with a referee in the Copa Libertadores.
The manager, who was without his striker for the return fixture with Arsenal di Sarandi, expects the ban to be overturned in time for the club’s next fixture with The Strongest on April 4.
“It’s exaggerated, on the disciplinary side,” he complained to reporters. “I’m working with the possibility of him playing in the next Libertadores game.”
Under the punishment imposed by CONMEBOL, Fabiano could only appear again in the Libertadores this season should São Paulo make the quarterfinals. The team are, though, currently struggling to make it through the group stage.
With that in mind, the manager also spoke of the increased role that his striker could play in the Paulista championship, which the club are attempting to win for the first time since 2005.
Source: Lancenet
