A RIO DE JANIERO judge has dismissed charges laid against former Brazilian international Adriano that accused him of involvement with drug-traffickers, a court spokesman told AFP yesterday.
The former Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Parma and Roma striker, 32, who is trying to revive his career in France, was charged on Tuesday with buying two motorbikes between 2008 and 2009 that were later used by drug dealers in Rio’s Vila Cruzeiro favela, where he grew up.
Judge Maria Tereza Donatti threw out the charge, partly because of evidence irregularities.
Sources in the prosecutor’s office in Rio de Janeiro told AFP that attorneys will appeal the ruling.
In a statement, the former international, who scored 27 goals in 48 appearances for Brazil, said he had never been worried.
“I knew everything would be okay… I’m honest, I pay my taxes and I’m proud of my origins,” he said.
He faced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.
Adriano’s last contract, with Atletico Paranaense, was terminated six months ago after he missed several training sessions.
Wouldn’t be like Brendan to try engineer his way out of a club. He’s looking sacked and that payday
@mel roberts: definitely pushing for the redundancy package! He certainly is not trying to motivate the squad he has, which has some fine players.
@mel roberts: He engineered the lack of transfers in?
@mel roberts: Worked for cardiganman think You nailed it….
What a few years can make. If the manager guess on. Which he is entitled to speak. The owners can fire him. I fear for the club.