Brazil soccer club ousted after masseur makes save

SAO PAULO — A sports tribunal removed a Brazilian club from this year’s fourth-division playoffs because its masseur stepped onto the field and made two key saves near the end of a match earlier this month.

The tribunal late Monday also suspended masseur Romildo da Silva for 24 matches and fined him about $250 for his actions to help club Aparecidense.

With the match against Tupi level at 2-2, Silva lurked from behind the net and entered the field when a Tupi player cleared the goalkeeper and appeared to have an open shot on goal. He blocked two consecutive shots, allowing his team to advance to the competition’s quarterfinals.

Enraged Tupi players chased Silva from the field and police grabbed him for his own protection.

Tupi needed the victory at home to reach the next round. With Monday’s ruling, Tupi will replace Aparecidense in the quarterfinals.

Aparecidense club officials said they will appeal the tribunal’s decision.