Former Manchester United Star Faces Prison Sentence Over Unpaid Child Support
- Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson is back in the headlines, facing serious legal trouble in Brazil over unpaid child support
- The ex-Red Devils star risks jail time unless he settles a huge debt, putting his post-retirement life under the spotlight
- Once celebrated for Premier League titles, Anderson’s off-field controversies now threaten to overshadow his footballing legacy
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Former Manchester United Brazilian midfielder Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira, who spent eight years at Old Trafford and won the Champions League with the club, is now facing serious legal trouble over unpaid child support.
Once hailed as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most promising talents, Anderson retired in 2019 but has returned to the headlines for a far less glamorous reason.
Source: Getty Images
Anderson faces jail sentence in Brazil
According to Marca, the former Red Devils star could be imprisoned in his hometown of Porto Alegre unless he pays €165,000 owed in child support by July 28.
The father of three daughters and two sons risks 30 days behind bars if the payment is not made. The Family Court ruled that he would enter a "closed regime," meaning strict confinement in a cell.
Per reports, if prison facilities are full, Anderson could instead serve time under a semi-open regime, allowing daytime study or community work while returning to a cell at night.
The court issued its ruling on September 3, but it only came to light this week, with Anderson yet to make any public comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, the ex-Premier League star's lawyer, Julio Cezar Coitinho Jr., explained that the case involved minors and could not provide further details due to a confidentiality order.
Source: Getty Images
Anderson's previous legal issues
This is not Anderson’s first brush with the law post-retirement. Last year, he faced a prison sentence over unpaid child support.
Additionally, in 2021, Brazilian media reported that he and seven others were under investigation for allegedly embezzling and laundering €5 million via cryptocurrency transactions, a case that could carry up to ten years behind bars, as cited by Mufc Yuto on X.
Anderson's football career highlights
Beyond his off-field troubles, Anderson made his mark in football, moving from FC Porto to Manchester United in 2007 for €31.5 million..
According to Tranfermarkt records, the 37-year-old won four Premier League titles (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013), the 2008 Champions League with the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Anderson also secured an Olympic bronze medal with Brazil at the Beijing Games. Later, he had loan spells with Fiorentina before returning to Brazil to play for Internacional and Coritiba, concluding his career in 2019 with a season at Adana Demirspor in Turkey.
Ex-player Michael Boateng sentenced to prison
In an earlier article, YEN.com.gh reported that former English-born Ghanaian footballer Michael Boateng, once hailed as a rising star in European football, was sentenced to prison for 14 years.
This came after police discovered illegal substances at Michael Boateng’s home, following Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showing him placing the prohibited items there.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
