By TALES AZZONI,AP
Posted: 2008-04-29 09:00:13
Filed Under: Soccer
SAO PAULO, Brazil (April 28) - AC Milan striker Ronaldo was questioned by police after an altercation with transvestites in a Rio de Janeiro motel on Monday, authorities said.
Ronaldo accused one of the transvestites of trying to extort him, police inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira said.
Police were still investigating what happened, but Nogueira said the altercation began when Ronaldo found out he was dealing with transvestites instead of women. The inspector said Ronaldo admitted he knew they were prostitutes when they met on Sunday night, but did not realize they were transvestites until they got to the motel.
“He admitted to everything, he wanted to have fun,” Nogueira said. “But he committed no crime at all, it was immoral at best.”
Prostitution was not illegal in Brazil.
The striker told police he offered to pay the transvestites anyway, but before he left one of them allegedly asked for 50,000 reals (US$30,000; euro19,000) to hide the story from the media.
Nogueira said he believed Ronaldo’s version because the transvestite decided to leave the police station even before being fully questioned by authorities.
The transvestite also accused Ronaldo of asking him to buy drugs.
In a statement to TV Globo, Ronaldo reiterated he was a victim of extortion and denied he has ever used drugs.
Ronaldo and the transvestites were only interviewed by police and voluntarily went to the police station.
Ronaldo is in Rio de Janeiro recovering from left knee surgery. He said on Sunday he could be back in action in six months if his recovery continues to go as planned.
Ronaldo has won two World Cups with Brazil, including the in 2002 when he scored eight goals, including two in the final against Germany.
A message to Ronaldo’s spokesman was not immediately answered on Monday