Former Everton loanee Jo remains in custody after being arrested at a Brazilian nightclub over unpaid child support. The striker, whose full name is Joao Alves de Assis Silva, was detained for a fifth time in two years over the same issue after police received a tip-off that he was out partying. He was arrested around 4am on Sunday (June 14) at a nightclub in Belo Horizonte, north of Rio de Janeiro.
Details of the Arrest
The 39-year-old former Brazil international, who represented his country at the 2014 World Cup, was remanded in custody after appearing before a judge. The dad-of-eight was understood to still be in custody today as he awaited a decision from a court in Sao Paulo on whether he should remain detained until the debt is paid.
The arrest warrant that led to his detention was issued in January by a family court in the Itaquera district of eastern Sao Paulo. Reports in Brazil said the outstanding debt stood at nearly £21,500 in June last year.
Previous Arrests
Jo's previous arrests occurred in May and December 2024 and June and November last year. He was still playing football the first time he was held when he was on his team bus and was travelling to an away game with his Brazil Serie B side Amazonas. He was released hours later after his lawyer promised his “small debt” would be paid.
He was held in June last year at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport and at a beach BBQ in the affluent Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca just over six months ago. Reports around the time of his Rio arrest said he was 12 months behind on child support payments in a separate case and put the figure he owed at just over £31,000.
Family and Financial Struggles
It was not immediately clear today which of Jo’s eight children, who include six said to have been born out of wedlock, was linked to the latest arrest. His model and influencer ex Maiara Quiderolly, who has a three-year-old son with Jo, has previously complained about the way he handles child support payments.
She said in March 2024 in an Instagram video after a paternity test showed the former Everton striker was the father: "I chose a s*** father for my son. I can't receive the pension correctly, when he pays on the right day, he pays in different amounts, so I can't receive it correctly. The only thing set by law, he doesn't do correctly. It's always torture to get things, and always I'm considered wrong."
Legal Proceedings
The decision to keep Jo in custody after his arrest was taken at a court in the Minas Gerais state capital of Belo Horizonte yesterday. Judge Cirlaine Maria Guimaraes analysed the legality of the detention and concluded that there were no irregularities in the procedure. She made it clear she did not have the jurisdiction to revoke the arrest warrant and order the former footballer’s release. It is not clear when the court in Sao Paulo which can set Jo free will sit.
Career Highlights
Jo joined Everton on loan in February 2009 after featuring in just six games for Manchester City following his £19m signing in July the previous year. He returned to Brazil and signed for Sport Club Internacional in July 11 2011 after scoring six goals in 48 appearances with The Citizens. He went on to form a striking partnership with Ronaldinho at another Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro. He retired from football in August last year when he was playing for Serie D club Itabirito.
Statement from Representatives
Jo’s representatives, speaking after his latest arrest, claimed overnight the former footballer was experiencing financial difficulties and wanted to negotiate a solution. They said in a lengthy statement: “The management team of former athlete Jo is publicly clarifying, in light of the recent news reports, the situation involving the fulfilment of child support obligations. It is public knowledge that the athlete is going through a period of severe financial instability, which has made it impossible for him to fully meet his obligations under the terms previously established. It is important to emphasize that the current non-payment does not stem from any lack of commitment or neglect of his paternal responsibilities, but rather from a real and temporary limitation of resources that has directly affected the management of his finances. The athlete has never sought to evade his responsibilities. At this moment, the top priority for Jo and his legal team is the swift resolution of this matter. We inform you that there is already an open and direct dialogue with the mother of his child, with the aim of formalising an agreement consistent with the athlete’s current financial situation and ensuring, above all, the child’s well-being and support.”
