Brazilian players attack referee

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ASUNCION, Paraguay -- Three Brazilian players were banned on Monday after their team attacked the referee following a stormy 2-2 draw with Chile in the South American under-20 championship.

Referee Albert Duarte of Colombia needed a police escort off the field after Sunday's game which produced five red cards, two of them after the final whistle.

At one stage, Duarte fell to the ground holding his red card after being pushed by a Brazilian player following his decision to award Chile two penalties in the closing minutes of the game.

The South American Football Confederation (CSF) said on its Web site that midfielder Fernando was suspended for the rest of the tournament in which Brazil have three matches left to play.

Defender Thiago Heleno and left back Carlinhos, sent off in the melee after the final whistle, were each given two-match bans.

The CSF also said it had decided to move Thursday's matches from Luque, venue for Sunday's game, to Asuncion for security reasons after fans hurled bottles onto the field.

Chile had Nicolas Larrondo sent off for a late tackle in the 58th minute while Hans Martinez of Chile and Luiz Adriano of Brazil were dismissed for fighting in the 74th.

The tournament is a qualifier for both the World under-20 championships to be held this year in Canada and next year's Olympic Games in China.

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