Cafu faces possible prison term
Brazil have been stunned on the day before their World Cup opening match against Croatia with the news that captain Cafu could be jailed for nine months over acquiring a European Union passport under false pretences.
The issue stems from false documents relating to Cafu’s wife and her apparent Italian ancestory.
The documents enabled the then Roma defender to become a naturalized Italian, which in turn allowed his club to add a further non European player to the playing roster.
The 36 year old would not be drawn on the matter after training.
“I cannot tell you anything because I have not been officially informed,” he told reporters.
“It is my brother who told me by telephone.”
However, the two time World Cup winner seemed unconcerned about the possible jail sentence.
“I think it is a Croat who is having a laugh (to unsettle the team).
“We don’t know why the news arrived now but I am going to leave that to one side now.
“I will deal with it after the World Cup,” he said.
The magistrate also recommended jail terms for Franco Sensi , his club president at the time; Regina Feliciano, his wife; Cristoforo Colombo, his agent and former Roma striker Gustavo Bartelt.
The Argentinean striker Bartelt has already been suspended for a year, in November 200, by the Italian football federation over the same scandal.
The trial should conclude in a week.