A mother denounced the Brazilian midfielder Felipe Meloof the Fluminensefor intimidating his underage son, after the latter told the player that he was a Botafogo fan, police said on Wednesday. The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police said in a statement that it will take statements from those involved and carry out proceedings to clarify the events, which were recorded at a police station in Barra da Tijuca, a neighborhood in the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
The complaint alleges that Melo, 41, had “aggressive behavior” after the young man, a teenage neighbor of his in a luxury housing estate, confessed to him that he supports Botafogo, a rival of ‘Flu’ in Rio, according to the ‘Ge’ website.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, when the 15-year-old went out to walk his dogs and met Melo, who asked him what team he supported. The boy replied that he was a Botafogo fan and the controversial former player of Inter Milan, Juventus and Galatasaray, among other clubs, reacted belligerently.
“My son had to take a few steps back. He asked if he was making him look like a ‘fool’ or a ‘crazy’ man. (Melo) had to be restrained by another man, who feared physical aggression,” said Vanessa Cruz, the young man’s mother, in statements collected by ‘Ge’.
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Melo denied the accusations in a statement and announced that he will take legal action, because “the facts narrated are not true.” The midfielder, who has starred in controversial images on and off the field throughout his careeris one of the heavyweights in the Fluminense dressing room, which this year is fighting to avoid relegation to the second division of the Brazilian Championship, after having been crowned champion of the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
