A Brazilian footballer been banned for up to six months after being handed an unusual punishment for breaking another player’s leg.Internacional defender Victor Gabriel was shown a straight red card for a sickening challenge on Cruzeiro winger Gabriel Pec last week.Gabriel has been handed a serious punishment for his studs-up red card challengegePec, who was making his debut for Cruzeiro after joining from LA Galaxy, was left with a fractured left tibia after the studs-up tackle.And while Gabriel was immediately given his marching orders on the pitch, he has now been dealt an even harsher sanction.Eye for an eyeBrazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice – the country’s highest independent body for discipline – has dished out a never-before-seen punishment.Gabriel has now been suspended until Pec returns to training following his recovery from the leg break.With such injuries having no clear timeline for recovery, the ban has been capped at a maximum of six months.Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice said: “The offender may remain suspended until the injured party is able to return to training, respecting a maximum period of 180 days.”While Gabriel is now staring at a lengthy spell out of action, he can still launch an appeal on the decision.The 25-year-old told the court that his horror challenge was ‘a completely unfortunate incident’.Gabriel had only been on the pitch for 14 minutes when he flew into Pec as he looked to stop a Cruzeiro counter attack.The referee initially played the advantage before pulling play back to send off the Internacional man, while Pec was stretchered off after blood could be seen pouring from his leg.Gabriel sent Pec flying into the air with his horror challengegeGabriel put his head in his hands after being given his marching ordersShutterstock EditorialAt his hearing, Gabriel told the court: “I apologised to him [Pec] and offered my help. “I asked him to forgive me for not having had any ill intent, and all I could do at that moment was pray for him.“Since that night, it’s been incredibly difficult for me. My whole life I’ve prepared for moments of happiness, and instead, it’s been sleepless nights.”Punishments for a red card vary according to country, with Premier League and EFL players getting a one-match ban, which can be extended to three for serious foul play or violent conduct.UEFA and FIFA also both ban players for one match but can add extra sanctions, such as a fine, for an especially serious offence.US player Folarin Balogun was fined $40,000 (£30,000) for ‘serious foul play’ during the World Cup, but controversially saw his one-game ban suspended after President Donald Trump’s intervention with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.Gabriel had been making his 16th league appearance of the season, which ended in dismissalGettyRoad to recoveryAs both players prepare for a lengthy spell away from the pitch, Pec has since undergone successful surgery following the career-threatening tackle.In a statement shared on Instagram, the seven-cap Brazil Under-23s star wrote: “The surgery was successfully completed.“To the honour and glory of God. Without Him, none of this would have been possible.“I thank and praise the Lord for the lives of the doctors – Sergio, Rodrigo and Gustavo.“I also want to thank all the supporters, family members, friends and staff. Thank you for so many messages of love and affection.“In the midst of this challenge, I have chosen to keep my eyes fixed on Christ.Pec joined Cruzeiro earlier in July after two years at MLS side LA Galaxy“He is my strength, my refuge, my fortress, where I find peace and joy. And I have been learning to find contentment even in the midst of trials.“I am doing my best to recover as well as possible and as quickly as I can so I can continue doing what I love. My dreams and goals remain intact.”After both players’ saw their involvement end with the horror tackle, Pec’s Cruzeiro teammates went on to claim a 2-1 win in the Brazilian top-flight clash with Internacional.