Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho and his brother are under investigation by police in Paraguay after being found with alleged fake Paraguay passports.
Ronaldinho and his brother, according to multiple reports, were interrogated after a police raid at a hotel in Asuncion led to a discovery of the ‘fake passports’.
Ronaldinho has been banned from leaving the hotel until the investigation is completed.
The Paraguayan passport in his name – Ronaldinho de Assis Moreira – was issued on January 7 this year and stated he was Brazilian but described him as a naturalised Paraguayan.
Right, the info pages of the alleged fake passports, left, Police quiz Ronaldinho
In July 2019, Ronaldinho reportedly had his Brazilian and Spanish passports confiscated over unpaid taxes.
“Ronaldinho will be heard at eight in the morning on Thursday at the prosecutor’s office, minister Euclides Acevedo told AFP.
“The documents are being analysed so their authenticity can be established. Two passports, a national ID document and mobile phones have been confiscated,” the Paraguay State Prosecution Service said in a statement.
Ronaldinho, now 39, was in Paraguay to promote a book and to be part of a campaign for underprivileged children and had been contacted by the representative of a foundation called Fraternidad Angelical about participating in some charity events.
Later, Paraguay’s interior minister told ESPN Brazil that the pair had not been arrested but are under investigation.
