With the World Cup coming in 2014, Brazil received some unwelcome news as Vasco da Gama midfielder Bernardo was kidnapped by drug traffickers in the region and tortured while in their custody.
According to Yahoo Sports, the 22-year-old star was taken after members of the organized crime ring saw him out with Daiane Rodrigues, who is the girlfriend of the Marcelo Santos, an organized crime boss, and both were taken away and tied up and beaten. According to the report by witnesses, Rodrigues was shot in the leg several times and Bernardo also needed to go to the hospital.
Vasco's sporting director Rene Simoes said he plans to support Bernardo and denounced the attack and the crime. Witnesses said that the two were tied up and beaten and that Rodrigues was in the hospital until Thursday.
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"I spoke to Bernardo recently and our priority is to give full support to the player," he said. "Of course Vasco do not want his name involved in anything other than what he achieves on the sports field. Bernardo will receive support from the club while legal proceedings are being undertaken."
