Bayern Munich once more show their social side in ex-defender Breno's case

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have once more shown their social side in the case of ex-defender Breno, who I can say out of own experience, can be rated very highly amongst Europe’s top football clubs.

Breno, for setting his rented house on fire, had been given a three year and nine month prison sentence for second-degree arson as it is called in legal language. He is now a day release prisoner as part of a rehabilitation and social reintegration programme after 13 months of good behaviour in the prison.

Yesterday, at a press conference, Bayern Munich announced that with effect immediately, Breno will be employed in the junior team administrative unit and on the FC Bayern II coaching staff. FCB youth section director Wolfgang Dremmler will collect the 23-year-old from Stadelheim correctional facility at 8.30am every day and returning him by 1.30pm. If all goes according to plan, the day release will be extended to eight hours in a couple of months, so the Brazilian can “lead a relatively normal life,” said FC Bayern president Uli Hoeness.

“I’m certain Breno will feel most at home on the field of play,” commented Dremmler. Alongside his work on the coaching staff, the Brazilian will be encouraged to regain peak physical fitness. However, he is not eligible to play for the Bayern reserves due to regulations applying to second teams and the fact he is not an EU national, Hoeness noted.

“The time in prison has been very hard for me,” said the father of a son, who has now been offered a route back to a normal life via FC Bayern as a reward for good conduct. “I think it’s excellent that the prison authorities and all the authorities in Munich involved in the case have helped to open up this opportunity,” commented Hoeness further.

The story of Breno is a sad one. 23 year old Brazilian Breno Vinicius Rodrigues Borges came to Munich in early-2008 with the reputation of being one of Brazil’s most highly rated young defenders. A future star, who could replace fellow Brazilian Lucio, but life would have other things in store for him. Numerous injuries, unable to cope with the lonely life of a professional footballer through club and family took care of him; Breno set fire to his rented house and has ended up in jail.

Now Bayern Munich are trying to help him get back into a normal life though once set free, he will be deported to Brazil and what future he has there one will have to see.