Clarence Seedorf escapes 12-match suspension in Brazil

Clarence Seedorf came to Botofogo from AC Milan in 2012.

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Brazil's sports tribunal has spared Clarence Seedorf a 12-match ban after he was red-carded following an argument with a referee as he was substituted in the Rio championship.

The tribunal decided instead to give him a warning after the Dutch midfielder was charged with unethical behavior and being disrespectful to the referee in Botafogo's 2-1 win over Madureira on March 24.

Seedorf was heading toward Botafogo's bench in added time when the referee stopped him and pointed toward the nearest sideline to save time. But Seedorf refused and left the other way - earning him the red card. The referee said in his report that Seedorf called his decision a joke and said he'd leave "anywhere he wanted.''

The tribunal said the one-match ban for the sending-off was sufficient punishment.