Palmeiras forward Kleber has become a target for referees, and ends up in so much trouble, not because he is a vicious player, but because he is persecuted, said his teammate midfielder Elder Granja yesterday.

Kleber may need to appear in the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) for the elbow that he allegedly laid on Asprilla from Figueirense. The incident took place last Wednesday in the 29th round of this year's Brasileiro Championship. The game ended in a scoreless tie.

A member of the Sports Court, Paulo Schmitt, has requested images of the game in order to analyze the blow. Kleber was awarded a yellow card for the aggression.

"Kleber is always persecuted. Everyone who plays against Palmeiras aims at irritating Kleber in order to provoke him. The referees never call fouls against him, only for him. That is what also happened with our former teammate Valdivia. There comes a time when an athlete becomes revolted with the refs, not the adversary, and plays with more intensity," said Granja.

Granja also accused the STJD of being excessively enforcing and even intimidating. So far this year, Kleber has been tried four times during the Brasileiro Championship.

"It is getting annoying. You enter the field and immediately feel the pressure and fear of the STDJ breathing down your neck. You cannot even lift your arms! They are passing the limits of what can be done on the field. Some athletes even forget to play due to the fear of being punished," said Granja.

Palmeiras is in second place with 54 points, two less than leaders Gremio, and will return to play on Sunday against state rivals Sao Paulo who remains in the hunt with 52 points.