Brazilian ex-football star Ronaldinho Gaucho arrives at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in ... [+]
Authorities in Paraguay have decided to keep FC Barcelona legend Ronaldinho and his brother imprisoned.
Detained since Thursday night in the small South American nation, the World Cup winner was made to sit through a hearing this Saturday, which, as relayed by Globoesporte’s Martin Fernandez, lasted for more than four hours.
At its conclusion, it was ruled that Ronaldinho and his sibling agent Roberto would be kept in detention for the use of false passports.
More specifically, the aptly-named local prosecutor Osmar Legal asked for the Brazilians not to be set free due to the “risk of escape” and the fact that Brazil “does not extradite its citizens”.
By the defence, it was claimed that Roberto has a heart problem and needs to receive medical care in his homeland. Failing to present exams or medical certificates as required by local law to support this however, a request for house arrest was turned down.
Also during the hearing, according to Fernandez, who has travelled to Paraguay for Globoesporte to monitor the latest developments, Ronaldinho’s lawyers filed an appeal to challenge the decision by judge Mirko Valinotti to press charges on Thursday evening, when the former Seleção forward was confornted at the luxury hotel he had been invited to stay in.
Thus far, three individuals have already been charged following investigation, who are namely the businessman Wilmondes Sousa Lira, earmarked by Ronaldinho's legal team as being responsible for the false passports, plus Paraguayans Maria Isabel Galloso and Esperanza Apolonia Caballero.
Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho arrives to Asuncion's Prosecution to declare after his ... [+]
Arriving in the capital Asuncion on Wednesday morning for Ronaldinho to participate in an NGO event, the brothers were, as mentioned, invited to stay at businessman Nelson Belotti’s hotel and casino.
Their passports catching the attention of the local authorities, and not even required as Brazilians can travel with their national ID cards around neighbouring countries, the suspects were not immediately arrested but kept under watch until they could testify.
Asked to pose for selfies with local police, dramatic scenes then played out as Ronaldinho was later handcuffed and taken off to court this morning after spending Friday night in the cells.
A low point for the retired 39-year-old set to turn 40 in March, it remains to be seen whether he will still feature in a Barça legends fixture in August at the Camp Nou, or assume a position at the club as hinted late last year, following this embarrassing episode.
An ambassador for tourism appointed by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, despite not being allowed to own an international travel document over fines deriving from a land dispute, the debacle has been absurd even by Ronaldinho’s lofty standards.
