Former midfielder Fabio Rochemback fined in cock-fighting sting in Brazil

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback has been caught up in a cock-fighting ring in his native Brazil.

The 35-year old, who spent three seasons at the Riverside Stadium between 2005 and 2008, was fined after police in Rio Grande do Sul raided a fighting event that saw police seize 89 roosters along with a large amount of money and a shotgun.

Rochemback was not arrested but could face prosecution -- and a maximum two-year prison sentence -- after signing a Circumstantiated Occurrence Term (TCO) for committing an "environmental crime."

Promoter of justice Marcos Eduardo Rauber told Globo Esporte: "It was a big inter-state event, with people from Santa Catarina and Parana. There were people with lots of cash. All were caught red-handed, some betting, others just watching."

Rochemback was previously fined in 2011 after a cock fight was held at a farm that allegedly belonged to him.

Of the 147 people at the event, 57 were fined for environmental crime, two for drug possession and one for corruption of minors.

Rochemback's father had denied that his son was even present at the event.

Juarez Rochemback told Globo Esporte: "Fabio was with me at the farm in Soledade, but now he's back in Porto Alegre."

Fabio Rochemback began his football career in his homeland with Internacional before joining Barcelona in 2001 at the age of 20.

He joined Boro in 2005 and also played for Sporting Lisbon, Gremio, Chinese side Dalian Yifang and Brazilian side Passo Fundo before retiring in 2014 with seven caps for his country.

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