Goalkeeper says he knew about ex-girlfriend’s death

SAO PAULO – The Associated Press

Bruno Souza, former goalkeeper of Brazil's Flamengo soccer club, wipes his eye during his trial in Contagem, near Belo Horizonte, March 4, 2013. REUTERS Photo

Former Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno has acknowledged for the first time that he knew about the death of his ex-girlfriend, but denies ordering her killing.

Bruno said during his trial in Minas Gerais on March 6 that a friend hired someone to kill model Eliza Samudio, who allegedly was dismembered before her remains were fed to dogs.

Bruno said he “was not the one who ordered” the killing but “in a way” feels “guilty” for her death.

Bruno was captain of the Flamengo team that won the Brazilian championship in 2009. That year, Samudio made the first allegations to police that she was pregnant with Bruno’s child, and that the player and others kidnapped her and tried to force her to terminate the pregnancy.

He if facing charges he ordered her killing.