Bayern Munich's Breno investigated for arson

23 September 2011 15:35

Bayern Munich's Brazilian defender Breno is being investigated on suspicion of arson following a fire at his luxury home, the German league giants confirmed Friday.

Breno, who joined Bayern from Sao Paulo in 2008, had been briefly hospitalised for smoke inhalation after a blaze at his house in a Munich suburb on Tuesday, which is reported to have started in a guest room in the basement.

But now authorities in Munich are investigating the Bayern player.

"There is an investigation of serious arson against Mr Vinicius Rodrigues Borges (Breno's full name), because current expert opinion is that the fire was not a random event," District Attorney Thomas Steinkraus-Koch told Munich newspaper TZ.

The 21-year-old's home in the suburb of Gruenwald was completely gutted by fire and while the Bayern defender's wife Renata and the couple's three children were not home, Breno was alone in the house at the time of the fire.

German daily Bild showed pictures of Breno house hunting with his family in Munich, but it was reported Friday the Brazilian has been admitted to a well-known psychiatric institute.

Bayern confirmed to Munich newspaper the Muenchner Merkur that they had advised the player to seek psychological help.

"Those in charge of the club have been taking care of Breno and his family around the clock and will continue to do so," said Bayern in a statement.

"We are surprised by the new situation, but as we have no further information, we cannot comment further.

"Our player has legal representation in this matter."

Bayern Munich are top of the German league after six games and host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Breno has yet to make an appearance this season after suffering from a knee injury.

He has made just 21 league appearances at Bayern in three seasons, after also spending six months on loan to Bundesliga side Nuremberg, and has failed to make a break-through.

Source: AFP