Brazilian Footballer Brandao Sentenced To Jail After Headbutt

Brazilian footballer Brandao, who plays his league football in France, has been sentenced to jail for a month by a court and fined 20,000 euros for headbutting an opponent. He's already been banned for six months.

Brazilian footballer Brandao has been sentenced to a month in jail and given a fine for headbutting an opposing player in August of this year. The incident occured after Bastia's 2-0 loss to Paris St Germain, in France's top football division, the Ligue 1.



The Bastia striker had waited in the players tunnel for 20 minutes after being substituted, and as the players came off the field he walked over to PSG player Thiago Motta and headbutted him in the face before running away.



Motta's nose was broken in the incident, and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi called for Brandao to be banned for life. Instead, the French football league has forbidden Brandao from playing for six months.



Brandao's lawyer, Olivier Martin, told AP that the player will probably not ever have to head behind bars, with his sentence likely to be converted to community service.



"There has been too much media coverage and that resulted in a disproportionate decision," Martin said, adding that he has yet to decide whether to appeal the sanction.



It is the second time in two seasons the former Olympique de Marseille player has been suspended.



al/jh (AP, Reuters)