Front pages of Brazilian newspapers showing pictures of
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo and transvestite Andre Luis Ribeiro
Albertino, as known as Andreia Albertine in Rio.
Ronaldo went into hiding on Tuesday after an encounter
with cross-dressing prostitutes that prompted police to investigate
whether to charge one with trying to extort money from the
three-time FIFA Player of the Year.
The AC Milan striker, in Brazil recovering from a knee surgery,
cancelled two TV appearances, and local media said he will continue
physiotherapy at his home. Police said Ronaldo committed no crime,
but he was accused by one prostitute of using drugs and not wanting
to pay. Prostitution is legal in Brazil. The transvestite could
face charges of extorting money and stealing his vehicle licence,
police said.
"One of the transvestites said in his interview that the
transvestite known as Andreia asked him (Ronaldo) for 50,000 reais
(£14,892)," detective Carlos Augusto Nogueira told reporters. "It's
very likely that he (Andreia) will be charged with extortion."
Ronaldo acknowledged to police he knew they were prostitutes but
did not realize they were cross-dressers until getting to a motel
in the early hours Monday morning, when one allegedly tried to
extort money from him to hide the story from the media, according
to police.
The motel manager - identified only as Luisa - said Ronaldo, who
was dressed and appeared to be sober, tried to get rid of the
prostitutes after realizing they were men. She told police Ronaldo
offered the prostitutes $600 (£305) to end the incident but they
would not accept dollars. The manager then converted the money into
reais for Ronaldo, but before he made the payment Andreia asked for
50,000 reais to keep the story from the media.
Andre Luis Ribeiro Albertino, also known as Andreia
Albertine, answers media questions in Brazil on Tuesday.
A motel waiter, who was not identified in the police
documents, told police the prostitute went to the street and yelled
"the Phenomenon didn't want to pay." Witnesses also Andreia ripped
out the phone wires to keep Ronaldo from calling for help, and
broke into his car to steal his belongings. That prostitute later
showed local media a vehicle document belonging to
Ronaldo.
Police inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira said there was no
evidence drugs were involved in the incident. But he said Ronaldo
and the prostitutes must return to the police station for further
questioning next week. Nogueira added the one prostitute might be
charged with extortion.
Ronaldo will not be charged, Nogueira said, unless he threatened
to physically assault the prostitutes, as one hinted. The case made
front-page headlines in several Brazilian newspapers Tuesday. And a
brief video clip of Ronaldo at the motel, apparently recorded by
one of the prostitutes, became a big hit in Brazil after being
posted on the YouTube website.
