Felipe Melo Banned For 6 Months For Punching Opponent 

Rio de Janeiro: Former Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo has been banned for six matches for violent conduct during a Copa Libertadores football match between Brazilian side Palmeiras and Uruguay's Penarol.

The ban means Melo will only be eligible to feature again in this year’s Copa Libertadores if Palmeiras reach the semi-finals of South America’s top club competition

South American football governing body Conmebol had already given the former Juventus and Inter Milan player a provisional three-game ban for his part in a post-match brawl during their group match at Campeon del Siglo stadium in Montevideo. Television cameras captured Melo punching Penarol midfielder Matias Mier on the head as officials lost control of proceedings. The ban means Melo will only be eligible to feature again in this year's Copa Libertadores if Palmeiras reach the semi-finals of South America's top club competition.

Conmebol also fined the 33-year-old USD10,000. Media reports in Uruguay said Penarol's Lucas Hernandez, Nahitan Nandez and Matias Mier were also banned for five matches and handed USD10,000 fines. Both clubs have seven days to appeal against the decisions.

IANS