Romario runs into trouble with the law, again

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Soccer legend and current manager of the America soccer team, Romario had another unfortunate run-in with the law on Tuesday. The author of more than 1,000 goals was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.

Vasco da Gama's veteran Brazilian striker  Romario waves to fans before the Brazil Cup  soccer match against Gama at the Maracana  Stadium in Rio de Janeiro April 4, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

Romario refused to comply with the police officer and did not blow into the breathalyzer to register if he had been drinking or not. In Brazil, there is a no tolerance policy on drinking and driving. Ironically, it is a citizen's right to decline to produce any sort of self-incriminating evidence.

The ex-striker and member of Brazil's third World Cup championship team, Romario quickly called a friend who came and drove his car home to his residence in the West Side of Rio de Janeiro. Romario was taken into custody in order to explain why he would not perform the breathalyzer.

As a punishment for his reckless behavior, Romario was fined nearly 500 US dollars and received seven points on his driver's license.

As of date, Romario has more than 60 lawsuits charged against him for crimes such as failure to pay income taxes, fraud and personal damages to name a few. The athlete is also deep in debt. He was forced to auction off his penthouse apartment last year, receiving an estimated 4 million dollars, all of which he did not see a penny.