Cheetahs’ Lima, Caio banned and fined
dubai — Al Wasl’s two foreign players Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo were banned and fined by the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) for an offensive video that went viral ahead of Thursday’s Bur Dubai Derby against fierce rivals Al Nasr.
Midfielder Lima and striker Caio copped two-match bans as well a fine of Dh 20,000 each by the FA after Al Nasr reportedly made a complaint because of their inappropriate actions in the video.
The video, made by a fan and posted on Tuesday, shows Al Wasl players Caio, Anthony Caceres, Ronaldo Mendes and Fabio de Lima as well as two local players goalkeeper Sultan Al Manthari and midfielder Humaid Abdulla Abbas, along with three young fans.
In the video, the fan asks Lima: “What will we do with the penguin next week?” To which Lima says: “Like this,” and shows the action of a penguin.
The fan then asks Caio, who responds by running his hand across his throat. Mendes predicts a 3-0 result.
The penguin is in reference to the plastic penguins which are situated at Al Nasr Leisureland, where Al Nasr’s Al Maktoum Stadium is based.
Lima and Caio’ absence is a huge blow for The Cheetahs, who take on Al Nasr on Thursday night. Al Wasl are unbeaten and top of the League with 14 points from six fixtures, after four victories and two draws.
Al Nasr, meanwhile, are fifth with 10 points, following three wins, a draw and two losses.
The Blues have been playing all their home fixtures at Al Wasl’s Zabeel Stadium as the Al Maktoum Stadium undergoes renovation for the AFC Asian Cup in 2019.
With this being a home fixture against The Cheetahs, the Pro League Committee (PLC) have moved the game to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s Rashid Stadium.