Benfica captain Luisao has been handed a two-month suspension for attacking a referee during a pre-season friendly in Germany last month against Fortuna Duesseldorf, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced on Friday.
The player, whose full name is Anderson Luis da Silva, was also fined 2,550 euros ($3,355).
The suspension applies to domestic competition, but the FPF confirmed that football's world governing body FIFA will be made aware of the ban, and Portuguese media reports suggested it could therefore be extended worldwide.
On August 11, Luisao pushed referee Christian Fischer during the game in Germany after a foul had been awarded against Benfica's Javi Garcia.
Fischer fell backwards to the ground and at one point appeared to have lost consciousness before standing back up and abandoning the game.
The official then made a formal complaint against the 31-year-old.
"I was surprised. I didn't act in an aggressive manner," Brazilian international defender Luisao later told Portuguese media.
"The referee was about to send off Javi Garcia. As captain, I approached him. I don't know if I maybe pushed him a bit, but I think he play-acted."
Fischer told German tabloid Bild that he passed out and was later taken to hospital.
Luisao, who has been at Benfica since 2003, had received the support of his coach Jorge Jesus and teammates.
Benfica could yet decide to appeal against the sanctions imposed by the FPF.
Source: AFP
