Former footballer Ronaldinho stuck in Paraguay in fake passport case

Former Brazilian football star Ronaldinho, supervised by Paraguayan police at Assumption on March 5, 2020. REUTERS / Jorge Adorno

Text by: RFI Follow

Former Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho spent a second night under surveillance in Paraguay. He is suspected of entering the country with a false passport.

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in Sao Paulo, Thierry Ogier

Ronaldinho says he is shocked and surprised. The former PSG star was traveling to Paraguay on a business trip. He was greeted by admirers at Assumption Airport, but was later arrested in his hotel room, along with his brother.

The authorities criticize him for using a false passport. A Paraguayan passport which was allegedly given to him on arrival by another Brazilian businessman.

Ronaldinho has been heard for more than six hours by the Public Prosecutor's Office, and must remain at the disposal of the justice of Paraguay. He claims that he thought these passports were in fact a kind of welcome gift from the Paraguayan authorities, since he did not even need them.

Brazilians can indeed enter the neighboring country with a simple identity card. The mystery is still not fully resolved, but the justice of Paraguay has decided not to charge Ronaldinho, who was appointed tourism ambassador six months ago by the Brazilian government.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR

  • Brazil
  • Sports
  • Paraguay