Former Bayern defender Breno jailed for arson
Former Bayern Munich defender Breno was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison by a Munich court on Wednesday after being found guilty of setting his house on fire.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k9377f5DfteNoj4FaBvTsD.jpg)
Judge Rosi Datzmann ordered the Brazilian player, who had been on bail pending the outcome of the case, to be taken immediately into custody.
Breno's house, in the leafy Munich suburb of Gruenwald, burned down last September while he was recovering from injury. His family was out at the time.
The talented Breno joined Bayern as an 18-year-old four years ago and had high hopes of becoming their defensive anchor.
He failed, however, to earn a starting spot and having also been plagued by injuries was released by the club last June.
Bayern Munich said they had heard the news with regret.
"Our hope was that Breno could have continued his footballing career and his life together with his family," Bayern said in a statement.
Prosecutors had argued that Breno, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, used several lighters and possibly some fire accelerant and lit objects around the house.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
They had asked for a five-year sentence.
Breno's lawyer, Werner Leitner, said that there were still doubts about whether arson was the cause of the fire.
"He has nothing but family and football," he said. "Give Breno a chance."
Local media reported that Breno was likely to spend two-and-a-half-years in a German prison before being deported.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack