Ronaldinho arrested in Paraguay over fake passport claims

Football star and his brother remain under police custody and are due to face judge on Saturday

Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Ronaldinho has been arrested in Paraguay after he allegedly entered the country with an altered passport.

The 39-year-old and his brother, Roberto de Assis Moreira, were taken to a police station in Asuncion, according to prosecutors, and are due to face a judge on Saturday.

Ronaldinho’s lawyer Sergio Queiroz said he has filed an injunction to release the pair.

On Thursday officials said they would not charge the 2002 World Cup winner and his brother but on Friday a new prosecutor ordered their arrest.

According to local media, Ronaldinho was due to fly out of the country on Friday afternoon.

When questioned by police on Wednesday the pair said they were gifted the passports “as soon as they got off the plane” in Asuncion.

Ronaldinho and his manager brother visited Paraguay on the invitation of a local casino owner and were to take part in a soccer clinic for children and a book launch.

Additional reporting by agencies