Midfielder also out for Corinthians in Libertadores return leg; why

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·11 September 2026

Midfielder also out for Corinthians in Libertadores return leg; why

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Next Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, Corinthians will face Argentina’s Estudiantes at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores. For the match, the Alvinegro will be without defensive midfielder Raniele, who was punished by Conmebol with a two-match suspension due to his sending-off in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Rosario Central-ARG, which ended in a 1-0 win for Corinthians.

The governing body handed the No. 14 a two-match ban, already taking into account the automatic suspension served in the first leg of the quarterfinals against Estudiantes away from home last Wednesday (9), which ended in a 1-1 draw. This means Raniele will miss only one more match in the tournament.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The Corinthians midfielder was also fined $4,000 (R$ 21,500 at the current exchange rate). The decision, as informed to the club, is not subject to appeal of any kind. According to the governing body, the amount will be deducted from the money Alvinegro is set to receive from the competition’s broadcasting rights and sponsorships.

Raniele’s red card against Rosario Central-AR on August 20 came 17 minutes into the second half, when he struck forward Copetti’s left knee with his studs. Initially, referee Alex Herrera did not call a foul, but he was summoned by VAR to review the play. After the review, he was sent off by the official in charge.

The challenge that led to the red card for the Corinthians midfielder was classified under Article 14 of the Conmebol Disciplinary Code, which deals with “serious rough play occurring through a violent tackle or challenge for the ball that endangers the physical integrity of an opponent; a play in which the offender uses excessive force or acts brutally (players).”

On the other hand, Raniele will be available for Corinthians’ next match of the season. That is because next Sunday (13), at 5:30 p.m. Brasília time, Alvinegro will face Flamengo at the Maracanã Stadium in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. Timão currently sit only 12th in the national competition with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws and 10 losses — with 27 goals scored and 27 conceded.

The team is going through a rough spell in the tournament, having lost its last four matches, and needs a response to start aiming for a better position in the league.

Conmebol imposes other fines on Corinthians

Timão was also punished by the governing body with US$ 56,000 (R$ 286,000 at the current exchange rate) for other violations of the tournament regulations – see below:

US$ 20,000 for throwing objects onto the field against Rosario Central;
US$ 10,000 for lighting flares against Rosario Central;
US$ 8,000 for irregularities in the post-match interviews against Rosario Central;
US$ 5,000 for “using gestures, words, chants, objects or other means to convey any improper message at a sporting event, particularly if it is political, offensive or provocative in nature” against Rosario Central;
US$ 2,000 for other irregularities involving the staging of the event against Rosario Central;
US$ 5,000 for “causing damage” against Peñarol;
US$ 2,000 for failing to provide travel schedule information for the match against Peñarol;
US$ 4,000 as punishment for midfielder Raniele.

Raniele’s Career at Corinthians

Raniele is an undisputed starter under Fernando Diniz and has scored three goals in 40 matches this year. Overall, he has five goals and two assists in 150 appearances (134 as a starter) for the club from Parque São Jorge, with 66 wins, 38 draws and 46 losses — a 52.4% success rate. Signed in January 2024 after standing out for Avaí and Cuiabá in the previous two seasons, the defensive midfielder quickly became one of the pillars of the current Corinthians squad.

In his first season, he was an important piece in the team’s surge in the previous Brasileirão edition (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores preliminary stage — seventh place with 56 points), in addition to being part of the title-winning campaigns in the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025) and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama and Flamengo, respectively.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.