Former Brazil star Felipe Melo amongst four players banned following brutal brawl between Penarol and Palmeiras
Palmeiras' Melo was caught throwing a brutal punch at his opponent after the full-time whistle
FELIPE MELO is one of four players to receive a three-match provisional ban after throwing a viscous punch as chaos erupted between Penarol and Palmeiras.
Violence broke out at full-time in the Copa Libertadores clash after the Brazilian visitors claimed a 3-2 victory over their Uruguayan hosts on Wednesday.
Former Inter Milan midfielder Melo was right in the thick of the action as he directed a punch at unused Penarol substitute Matias Mier.
Melo and Mier were both sanctioned with three-match bans by South American football's governing body.
Penarol players Nahitan Mandez and Lucas Hernandez both received the same ban.
The violence on the field made its way into the stands as supporters from both fans started a huge brawl.
It was revealed that a firearm was taken from at least one police officer while six police vehicles were also damaged.
Palmeiras boss Eduardo Baptista accused the home side of deliberately preventing his players from leaving the field, sparking the mass fighting.
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The Brazilian champions had come from two down at half time to claim victory and almost guarantee their spot in the knockout phases of South America’s version of the Champions League.
Melo had previously accused some of the Penarol players of using racist abuse towards him when the sides met in Sao Paulo and he later warned he would not back down from slapping them when they met again.