Sports tribunal suspends Ronaldinho for a game for dangerous kick near opponent's face
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Brazil's sports tribunal has suspended Ronaldinho for one game for a dangerous kick that nearly hit an opponent in the face in a Brazilian league match.
The play happened in Atletico Mineiro's 0-0 draw against Gremio on Sept. 23, when Ronaldinho came in hard for a ball dispute and left his right foot in the air, nearly hitting an opponent. There was no foul called and Ronaldinho didn't receive a card at the time, but the tribunal used television images to suspend the former two-time world player of the year.
Atletico Mineiro lawyers appealed, but the tribunal said Wednesday it would uphold the suspension, meaning Ronaldinho will not play against Internacional later Wednesday.
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Atletico Mineiro, seeking its first title since 1971, is second in the Brazilian league, six points behind leader Fluminense.