Brazilian Fabiano hit with nine-match ban for spitting

Melbourne Victory's Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano has received a nine-match ban after being found guilty of spitting at an opponent during an Australian A-League match last weekend.

Fabiano, signed from Thai club Chonburi FC last June, was found guilty of the charge after a four-hour tribunal hearing here late Wednesday.

Fabiano was sent off in the 29th minute of the match against Adelaide United after an altercation with Adelaide defender Robert Cornthwaite.

The judiciary committee said it found that Fabiano had deliberately spat at Cornthwaite.

The nine-match suspension is second only in length in the A-League to the nine-month ban given to Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic for striking the hand of referee Mark Shield in last season's grand final.

The suspension follows the five-match ban handed to Perth's Dino Djulbic after he was found guilty of spitting on the ground as a show of dissent towards the match referee.

The tribunal said Fabiano would not be eligible to play for the Victory until their round 14 match against Perth Glory on December 6.