Former Brazil international Ronaldinho has been ordered to remain in jail in Paraguay on Saturday after a judge ruled him a flight risk.
The 39-year-old was arrested on Friday for attempting to enter Paraguay with a false passport two days earlier and spent Friday night in a police cell along with his brother and business manager Roberto Assis.
The brothers asked to be released into house arrest but that was rejected by the judge, who also dismissed Assis's claims to have a heart problem because he showed no proof.
Judge Clara Ruiz Diaz said their alleged offence was a “serious one against the interests of the Paraguayan state”.
Because the pair posed a flight risk they must remain in custody, she added.
Under Paraguayan law, officials now have six months to complete their investigation but Ronaldinho's lawyers, who called the decision “incredible,” are expected to present an appeal in the coming days.
Although he last played professionally in 2015, Ronaldinho is still hugely popular.
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Although workers at the facility took selfies with the famous detainee, officials said the Brazilians did not receive any preferential treatment.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
