Brazil will be without forward Gabriel Jesus in the Copa America final. After getting two games of suspension, including the automatic one already served, the forward will miss Saturday’s final showdown at Maracanã. Brazil will meet Argentina on Saturday night, after Argentina upset Colombia on penalties.
Gabriel Jesus was sent off in the quarterfinals after elevating his boot to reveal his studs on Chilean left-back Mena.
The attacker was also fined $5,000, which is equivalent to R$26 thousand at current currency rates, in addition to the three-game penalty. The money is deducted from the amount CBF would be entitled to as a prize for the Copa América dispute automatically.
The Disciplinary Commission of Conmebol, headed by Eduardo Gross Brown, imposed Gabriel Jesus’ penalty. The decision is definitive, and there is no way to overturn it.
This was only the second time Tite has seen a dismissal since his time as Brazil head coach. Interestingly enough, the first was with Gabriel Jesus. The Manchester City player received a yellow and then a red card in the 2019 Copa America final against Peru at Maracanã. Brazil was crowned champion after winning the match 3-1.
Tite started Everton Cebolinha instead of Jesus in the semi-final against Peru (1-0 for Brazil). The coach will use the three training sessions he has until Saturday’s decider to determine who would replace the Manchester City star on the field.
Tite has Roberto Firmino, Gabigol, and Vini Júnior for the position, in addition to Cebolinha and star duo Richarlison and Neymar.
Even in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, Brazil still boast more than enough firepower to trouble Argentina and are still deemed as the favorites to win regardless.
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