Bruno granted right to remain at liberty after confessing to ordering murder

Seven years ago, Bruno Fernandes de Souza was employed by Flamengo and was one of Brazilian football's best-known footballers. However, the 'keeper was thrown behind bars in Rio de Janeiro after allegations emerged that he masterminded the kidnapping and execution of his former girlfriend.

In 2013, Bruno confessed to ordering a friend to murder Eliza Samudio and conceal her body, and was subsequently sentenced to 22 years in prison.

On Saturday, there was another development in Bruno's case. As explained by The Associated Press, the former 'keeper was granted the right to remain at liberty until his last appeal is considered. He is yet to leave the prison in Santa Luzia, Brazil, which is located approximately 220 miles north of Rio.

Bruno and Samudio reportedly met at a party in 2009. As the Guardian's Tom Phillips details, police believe she became pregnant during their first encounter and he became infuriated by her decision to keep the child. She disappeared in June 2010 after approaching police to report threats. Prior to his arrest, he had been linked with a transfer to AC Milan.

Bruno's jailing was given interrupted coverage by news channels in Brazil, and Dilma Rousseff, who was Brazil's president at the time, told the Record: "This is a barbaric crime. The whole of Brazil is disgusted by such a barbaric and perverse crime."