By Esmee Verbeek, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian football player Ronaldinho Gaúcho handed in a lawsuit at the Justiça do Trabalho (Court of Labour) against Flamengo this morning. The internationally famous player leaves the club and charges them R$40 million.
According to his lawyer, Gislaine Nunes, “Ronaldinho [from now on] is free from training and playing at Flamengo. The judge has already granted this injunction.”
A second lawyer of Ronaldinho, Giovani Kurle, explained the reason of the sudden lawsuit: “The contract is terminated because [the club] didn´t pay [his salary on time].”
There might be another reason. The number ten was exempt for training on Monday and Tuesday to take care of his mother who has been treated because of a reported tumor. On Wednesday though, Ronaldinho didn’t show up at another training session, without giving explanation to the directors of the club.
Flamengo president Patricia Amorim expressed surprise: “We did not expect such an attitude. Now, the case is in the hands of our legal department, which will take all legal measures to protect the interests of Flamengo. The club is bigger than anyone and will be so forever.”
The attacking midfielder is under fire at the Rubro-Negro for a few months now, because of his lack of performance. Also, since January, the club is paying the million-real salary alone, without sponsors to help.
The two time World Player of the Year, 31 year-old Ronaldinho had signed with Rio’s 2009 champions Flamengo in January 2011, in a four year deal worth an estimated R$1,000,000 a month.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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