Santos goalkeeper Aranha, the victim of racist abuse from Grêmio supporters nine days ago, was assaulted by police in Campinas in 2005, it was revealed yesterday.
Playing for Ponte Preta at the time, he was reportedly confused with a kidnapper and taken into police custody, it was reported by UOL Esporte today.
Giving a press conference after Santos" 3-1 win over Vitória at the Pacaembu yesterday evening, the 32-year-old revealed that police arrested him at a hospital after his car"s number plate was reported to police.
"The police came up to, and, as it was a serious case, they treated the situation in a tough way. I understood the situation, but I was upset," the goalkeeper said.
At the time, Aranha accused the police of physically attacking him with punches and kicks. He was also handcuffed for around 10 minutes, on the floor, and was only released when a Ponte Preta club director to inform the police who he really was.
"They [the police] told me to be quiet because I was a suspect. After they had handcuffed me, they put me down on the floor and asked me where my gun was," he told Folha de São Paulo newspaper in 2005.
"I was very embarrassed. At least one person recognised me," he added.
