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Feminist organizations in Brazil are leading a large protest against the decision of a soccer team to sign goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes de Souza, who was sentenced for the killing of his girlfriend and who was in jail until just days ago.
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Bruno, as he is known in Brazil, was convicted in 2010 of ordering the murder of his former partner — the mother of his child — and having her body fed to his Rottweiler dogs. He was released from jail last month pending an appeal.
The second division team Boa Esporte, from Varginha in Minas Gerais, presented a two-year contract to Bruno, who still has two-thirds of the 22-year sentence to complete.
The club’s president, Rone Moraes de Costa, said that although Bruno was convicted, the club would help him re-adjust back to society and offer him the “dignity of work.”
De Costa said the signing is "part of the social obligation of the company" by giving "work to those who intend to recover."
The news caused outrage among groups defending women's rights and friends and family of the victim, Eliza Samudio, who have criticized the team's decision to overlook the violent crime.
The Popular Feminist Front of Varginha accused the club of trying to profit from Bruno’s fame and forgetting about the suffering of his victim. The front along with other organizations have announced a protest outside the headquarters of the team to denounce gender-based violence in the country and demand justice.
“Women are outraged and so is the general public," said activist Djamila Ribeiro to UOL. "It's as if he had gone unpunished.”
The 32-year-old soccer player confessed to his involvement in the crime, saying he conspired with friends who tortured and strangled Samudio. The model, who was 25 at the time, went missing in 2010 after she sued the goalkeeper for child support. Samudio's mother unsuccessfully filed a suit to demand that Bruno be sent back to prison, because he was a threat to her grandson.
Burno's lawyer, Lucio Adolfo said that the player had received several proposals from other teams and opted for Boa Esporte. "He didn't seek any club, I didn't reach out to them," said Adolfo.
At the time of the murder, Bruno played for Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro, He was also a strong candidate for the national team and was sought after by AC Milan.
Following the announcement, three sponsors withdrew their financial support for the soccer team — Nutrends Nutrition, CardioCenter and Magsul — saying they protested the decision. Still, the Varginha city government has continued to be the main sponsor of the club.
Bruno's lawyer said he was "convinced better sponsors will arrive" after the media attention the player received.
In 2014, while still in prison, Bruno signed a deal with Montes Claros Futbol Club, but the Minas Gerais courts didn't authorize his release.
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