Sao Paulo, February 13:

Troubled Brazilian international striker Adriano could face over a year’s suspension for assaulting another player during a match last Sunday it was revealed by his club Sao Paulo.

Adriano, who has been on loan there from Inter Milan since December with a view to helping them try and win the Copa Libertadores, risks between four to 18 months on the sidelines after headbutting Santos defender Domingos during the 3-2 win for Sao Paulo for which he was sent-off. He will face a tribunal on Monday.

His career has been freefall since appearing at the 2006 World Cup and returned with the agreement of Inter to recover from alleged weight and drink problems.

Inter claimed that the barrel-chested forward looked great last December after a period of rest and were looking forward to welcoming him back but instead he was loaned to Sao Paulo. The striker was an instant hit in his first two seasons at Inter but has fallen by the wayside, suffering injury problems and a loss of form.