Rio de Janeiro, Mar 23 (IANS): Luis Fabiano has been handed a four-match Copa Libertadores ban and fined $5,000 for using abusive language against a referee, South American football's governing body Conmebol said.

The Brazil international striker was shown a straight red card for his verbal confrontation with referee Wilmer Roldan after the final whistle of Sao Paulo's 1-1 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi March 7, reports Xinhua.

Sao Paulo has seven days to appeal the decision, Conmebol said in a statement on its official website.

"The disciplinary tribunal has imposed the sanction on the athlete for making serious insults towards the match referee," the statement said.

Fabiano, 32, will miss Sao Paulo's fixtures against The Strongest and Atletico Mineiro in addition to the first knockout phase match, should the Brazilian club progress beyond the group stage.

The Copa Libertadores, which comprises the top sides from South America and Mexico, is the continent's leading club competition.