Former World Player of the Year and Brazil legend Ronaldinho have been detained in Paraguay alongside his brother for entering the South American Country with fake passports.
The World Cup winner was in Paraguay Wednesday for a charity event to promote a book and a campaign for underprivileged children. Ronaldinho is being held by the country police who conducted a search at the Hotel he lodged in and found implicating documents. However, the 39-year-old and his brother were allowed to stay at the hotel but remain under investigation and must report to the prosecutor's office on Thursday (Friday - Timezone).
Paraguayan prosecutor Federico Delfino told a news conference that the pair left Guarulhos airport in São Paulo with Brazilian passports and were given Paraguayan ones “as soon as they got off the plane”.
“Both Mr Ronaldinho and his brother said they were a gift; They have not gone through the process of obtaining Paraguayan nationality. To get Paraguayan nationality or to be naturalised as a Paraguayan, you have to have resided in the country.”
Paraguay interior minister Euclides Acevedo also added that "Ronaldinho will be heard at eight in the morning on Thursday at the prosecutor's office; I respect his sporting popularity but the law must also be respected. No matter who you are, the law still applies." The minister concluded that customs authorities would also be investigated.
