Ronaldinho Appears in Court in Paraguay over Alleged Fake Passport

Former soccer player Ronaldinho Gaucho and his brother, Roberto Assis, appeared in court on March 7 over allegations the pair used fake passports to enter Paraguay.

Prosecutors say they were given the false documents when they landed in the capital Asuncion on March 3.

Ronaldinho and his brother were taken into custody on March 6, just hours after a judge refused to uphold a prosecutor’s proposal for an alternative punishment.

The prosecutor argued the brothers had been tricked. They deny any wrongdoing.

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The Brazilians, who were questioned by police, said they thought the passports were a courtesy gesture. Officers later searched their hotel.

A judge now has to determine whether Ronaldinho Gaucho and his brother should be freed or remain in custody while further investigations are carried out.

In July 2019, Ronaldinho, now 39, reportedly had his Brazilian and Spanish passports confiscated over unpaid taxes and non-payment of fines for illegally building on a nature reserve in Brazil.

Ronaldinho had traveled to Paraguay to promote a book and a campaign for underprivileged children.

He was the 2004 and 2005 World Player of the Year and reached the prime of his career at Spanish giants Barcelona.

Ronaldinho won the World Cup for Brazil in 2002 alongside fellow superstar forwards Ronaldo and Rivaldo.