SAO PAULO - Brazilian club Portuguesa abandoned its second-division match in the 16th minute on Friday, saying it had a court order allowing it to play in the top flight that begins on Saturday.
Portuguesa players left the field after a court official showed up during its match against Joinville and presented the ruling to team officials and referees. The match official said the team had to keep playing, but the club said it had to abide by the court order.
Portuguesa and its fans have been filing lawsuits in civil courts trying to get reinstated to the top division. The club was relegated last year after a sports tribunal stripped it of four points for using a suspended player in the final round.
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