The Rio de Janeiro Ministry of Justice has ordered the detention of the former Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos for a period of three months due to delays in the payment of maintenance for two of his children.
The 44-year-old owes his ex-partner Barbara Thurler 61,000 reals ($20,000).
The case is being heard in summary secrecy before the Family Court of the Itaperuna Forum in Rio de Janeiro state, judicial sources told Efe.
Local media say Carlos, who is currently Real Madrid's ambassador to Asia and Oceania, cited financial problems to justify delaying the payment.
Considered one of the best left-backs in history, he recently became a father for the ninth time after his current wife Mariana Lucon gave birth to a baby girl named Mariana.
He is not the only Brazilian player to receive a prison sentence for failing to pay child support.
World champion Edilson Silva Ferrerira, who was part of the Brazil team that won the Japan-Korea World Cup in 2002, was sent to prison twice.
Edilson accumulated a maintenance debt of 430,000 reales (approximately $136,000), including interest on three years of arrears.
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