Brazilian Federal Police investigate transfers to former footballers

The Brazilian Federal Police are investigating financial transfers made to former professional footballers Pedro Geromel and Lucas Leiva as part of 'Operação Disco de Ouro'. The investigation targets illegal mineral extraction in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory and fraudulent cassiterite exports.

Documents indicate that the funds originated from Metalsur Comercial de Aços, a company linked to brothers Diego and Matheus Possebon, who are accused of managing a scheme to internalize funds from abroad. Geromel is noted to have received R$ 1 million, while Lucas Leiva is linked to a transfer of R$ 125,000.

A federal judge recently denied a request by the Federal Police to seize up to R$ 1 million in assets from Geromel, ruling that current evidence does not necessarily prove the funds are the product of a crime. While the asset seizure was rejected, the investigation into the origin and justification of these financial movements remains ongoing.