RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Fluminense and Brazil striker Fred has been handed a four-match suspension for elbowing a Campeonato Brasileiro opponent.

A Rio de Janeiro sports tribunal Friday found the 29-year-old had acted recklessly in the incident with Vasco da Gama midfielder Jomar on July 21.

Having already missed Fluminense's 2-0 loss to Gremio last Sunday, Fred will be unavailable for the club's matches against Ponte Preta, Flamengo and Corinthians.

"I am upset with the sentence, which in my vision was extremely harsh," he said after the hearing. "I have seen incidents that were a lot worse that didn't receive this type of punishment."

Fluminense confirmed the club would appeal the decision.

Fluminense coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is also without suspended midfielder Diguinho and injured playmaker Deco for Sunday's trip to Ponte Preta.