Soccer Player Could be Sued for Kicking Balls Against Christ Redeemer Statue
A Brazilian Church may sue Uruguayan soccer player Sebastian Abreu for kicking soccer balls against the famous Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro.
“The case is under review,” said Adionel Carlos, the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, which manages the famous statue.
The incident occurred recently when the Christ Redeemer Statue was being used as part of the scene for an advertising campaign starring “El Loco” Abreu, as he is famously known, for the airline Pluna. Reports say that during that shoot, local tourists who were passing by were incensed with the Uruguayan player’s attitude.
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An official of the Chicho Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and a policeman halted the recording when Abreu tried to kick the ball up at the statue.
In the aftermath of the incident it appeared that the incident would be forgotten, but the Brazilian Catholic Church has now decided to look into the possibility of suing “Loco” for his disrespectful actions.
According to the Brazilian publication “O Globo” the Archdiocese of Rio intends to sue the company conducting the shoot as well, alleging that it was not consulted about the filming.
The threat of the trial will add to Abreu’s other injury worries as he is currently suffering with a knee sprain and is currently out of action for at least ten days.
Abreu suffered the injury in Saturday’s victory for Botafogo over America Mineiro in the Brazilian Championship. It has been reported that he will be absent for the next two games against Athletico Mineiro in the Copa Sudamericana.
Loco Abreu’s advisor, Flávio Dias, has reported that he considers the Church’s intention to sue Abreu as an “unbelievable attitude.”
Airline Pluna’s press agency said on Tuesday that Jorge Pluna, the general manager of the company has made an apology to the Archdiocese of Rio and that he hoped they could overcome the issue.
The Christian Post contacted the press office of the Archdiocese this week and a representative confirmed the apology had been accepted, however, he added that the Church was still contemplating whether a legal course would be the appropriate way forward.
