Brazil's Internacional axe defender for abusing fans

Brazilian football club Internacional's defender Fabricio was axed by the team management after he abused his own fans.

The 28-year-old was suspended by the three-time Brazilian Serie A champions after he raised the middle finger of each hand towards fans during a match against Ypiranga last Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

He was immediately sent off by referee Luis Teixeira and was jeered by his own supporters as he left the pitch.

"We have spoken with his agent (Bruno Paiva) and we know that he is profoundly sorry," Internacional president Vitorio Piffero said on Monday.

"But he can no longer play at Inter. The shirt is a symbol of the club. His agent is authorized, as of now, to look for a new club. It could be on loan -- which I believe would be more viable -- or a permanent move."

Piffero said rival clubs had already shown interest in signing Fabricio.

A local sports tribunal charged the left-back with two offences carrying a combined maximum penalty of 12 matches.