A FORMER Middlesbrough player has been arrested in Brazil for allegedly participating in cockfighting, according to reports.
Fabio Rochemback, who played for Boro between 2005 and 2008, was arrested in the city of Palmer's das Missoes after 89 fighting roosters were seized in addition to a shotgun and more than 100,000 reales – which is around 26,000 euros – during a police raid.
The former Boro midfielder must respond to allegations of 'an environmental crime', according to Globoesporte.
The Brazilian publication also report that there were many people present at the time of the raid with some betting on the fights, while others were merely spectating.
Rochemback played 68 times for Boro and was part of the team that made it to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.
He left the club in 2008 to join Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
In 2011, police found several fighting cocks in a building owned by Rochemback in the city of Soledad, California, according to Globoesporte.
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