Fortaleza face derby blow as key man banned | OneFootball

Fortaleza will be without Marinho for Sunday’s highly anticipated Clássico Rei against Ceará after the forward was handed a two-match suspension by the STJD, according to Globo. The ban stems from his straight red card in the defeat to Vasco da Gama, where Marinho was adjudged to have struck Lucas Piton in the chest with his elbow during the ninth round of the Série A.

The incident saw Marinho punished under Article 250—covering unsporting or hostile conduct on the pitch—by the sixth disciplinary commission, which confirmed his suspension for two matches. This ruling means the experienced attacker must now sit out the derby at Arena Castelão, with Fortaleza moving quickly to file for a suspension effect in an effort to overturn the ban ahead of the showdown.

As things stand, Juan Pablo Vojvoda will be forced to reassess his attacking options as his side seeks to find form following recent setbacks. Fortaleza’s campaign has been beset by a challenging sequence of results, including a Copa do Nordeste quarter-final exit to Bahia, in which new signing Matheus Pereira managed to find the net on his debut (Diário do Nordeste).

The absence of Marinho deprives Fortaleza of a player who has added experience and versatility in the final third. The move to appeal signals how keen the club are to have their full complement available as they aim to address questions of cohesion and consistency that have surfaced over the past month. Matchday approaches with the squad in search of renewed momentum, at a time when returning to winning ways in front of their fans has taken on increased urgency.

Kick-off for the Clássico Rei is set for 20:30 on Sunday at Arena Castelão, a venue which itself has recently received upgrades to both the pitch and facilities ahead of this vital fixture. As hopes rest on the possibility of Marinho’s involvement, all eyes are on the outcome of the club’s legal maneuvers in the coming days.

Original sources: Globo, Diário do Nordeste.