Brazilian football star Ronaldinho has been ordered to appear before prosecutors later today (5 March) following reports he entered Paraguay with a falsified passport.
The former Barcelona star - real name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira - has been banned from leaving his luxury hotel on the outskirts of the Paraguayan capital Asunción until his court appearance.
Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has also been ordered to appear before prosecutors at 9am local time after a reportedly falsified Paraguayan passport in his name was found in his room.
According to Paraguayan publication La Nación, a Brazilian businessman, identified as 45-year-old Wilmondes Sousa Lira, is the only one of the three who has been arrested. It is thought he facilitated the documents.
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The Paraguayan passport was issued on 7 January this year and states he is Brazilian, but describes him as a naturalised Paraguayan.
Police have also confiscated a reportedly adulterated Paraguayan ID card.
Police went to the hotel after receiving information from immigration authorities pointing to the trio entering Paraguay with falsified documents. Paraguay's State Prosecution Service published photos of Ronaldinho in his presidential suite surrounded by police.
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The prosecution service said in a statement: "Prosecutors investigate Brazilian player Ronaldinho's documents and passports.
"Prosecution officials Federico Delfino, Alicia Sapriza and Marcelo Pecci led an investigation and carried out a joint operation with the National Police.
"It was carried out in a presidential suite at the Yacht and Paraguayan Club Hotel Resort in the city of Lambare.
"Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, alias 'Ronaldinho' and his brother Roberto de Assis Moreira, were staying at that resort.
"According to the information received, they had Paraguayan passports when they entered the country on Wednesday afternoon.
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"These documents are being analysed so their authenticity can be established. Two passports, a national ID document and mobile phones have been confiscated.
"Ronaldinho and his brother said they had been invited to Paraguay by Nelson Belotti, owner of the Il Palazzo casino, and had been contacted by the representative of a foundation called Fraternidad Angelical about participating in some charity events.
"The two brothers remain free to move around their suite at the resort but will remain there under custody."
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