Murder convict returns to the game

The former Flamengo goalkeeper who was sentenced to jail for his part in the murder of an ex-girlfriend made a return to the game on Saturday, with Bruno Fernandes given a warm welcome by fans at his new club Pocos de Caldas. Fernandes, who is better known by his first name Bruno, was found guilty in 2013 of involvement in the murder of Eliza Samudio, a former partner and part-time model who was seeking paternity payments after giving birth to a son she said was his. In a case that shocked both Brazil and the football world, Fernandes told the judge his friends strangled Samudio, cut her body up and fed bits of it to dogs. He was given a 22-year sentence but having now served enough time to qualify for a part-release scheme he was allowed out to travel the 160 km from Varginha, where he served most of his sentence, to his new club in Pocos de Caldas. The 34-year-old is allowed out during the day but must return to Varginha at night.