A celebrated Brazilian football player, Gabigol, was apprehended by law enforcement officials due to his alleged involvement in an unlawful wagering ring.
The Flamengo striker, formally known as Gabriel Barbosa Almeida, was discovered at a covert gaming establishment in São Paulo and subsequently taken into police custody.
The 24-year-old athlete, a member of the prominent Brazilian football club Flamengo, was among approximately 200 individuals detained by authorities at the hidden venue situated within a building complex. Video recordings obtained by police revealed individuals engaged in festivities inside the structure. Those in attendance were permitted to leave after providing their signatures on legal documents, pledging to appear before law enforcement at a future date.
Police Commissioner Eduardo Brotero disclosed that a specialized state unit had anticipated disbanding an illicit gathering but unexpectedly uncovered a fully operational casino.
“Individuals apprehended at the scene were escorted to the police station to provide their accounts of the events,” stated Brotero. “The staff members and the individual responsible for the establishment will face charges related to offenses against public health, illegal gaming activities, and violations of lockdown regulations. The remaining individuals were issued fines.”
As a consequence of the incident, Gabigol was unable to participate in his team’s 1-0 defeat against Fluminense on Sunday evening.
Brazil currently holds the second-highest mortality rate globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 270,000 fatalities recorded since the outbreak began.
