Ex-Premier League star arrested for cock-fighting made football comeback aged 43

Fabio Rochemback is best remembered, on these shores, for his three seasons at Middlesbrough - and he's now staging a comeback after he was arrested for cock-fighting

Posted Wednesday, December 11, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Fabio Rochemback is back in the beautiful game - but it's been quite a journey since Premier League fans last laid eyes on him.

Rochemback, who turns 43 today (Tuesday, December 10), spent three years at Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2008. On these shores, the Brazilian midfielder made 91 appearances and was part of the side that famously reached the 2006 UEFA Cup final. Sadly for Steve McClaren's men, they were thrashed 4-0 by Sevilla.

Fabio Rochemback (right), pictured with Brazil icon Ronaldinho (left), played in the Premier League with Middlesbrough

Things got even worse for Rochemback in the years that followed, as Boro let him go after a disappointing spell, before he ended up playing for Passo Fundo amateur club Ipiranga. And, after hanging up his boots in 2014, he would soon find himself on the wrong side of the law for his alleged involvement in cock-fighting.

In 2017, Brazilian police would storm his farm in Rio Grande do Sul state on suspicion of being involved in a cock-fighting ring - a blood sport involving domesticated roosters as the combatants. Local reports suggested 89 roosters were seized and more than $100,000 (£75,000) in cash.

A further 146 people were detained and 57 were charged. Animal fighting is categorised as an environmental crime in Brazil and it was the second time that Rochemback had fallen foul of the authorities.

Six years beforehand, the former Brazil international's farm was raided and several fighting cocks were removed. However, Rochemback has put his cock-fighting days behind him - and in October this year, he announced his shock return to the beautiful game.

Rochemback joined Brazilian amateur side Guarany de Xaxim, who compete in the regional Santa Catarina Championship, on a short-term deal. The ex-Canary Squad star captained the side to a 3-2 win on his first appearance.

Alongside his spell in England, Rochemback also turned out for Barcelona - where he played alongside the likes of World Cup winners Xavi, Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta. However, he was named as one of the worst players in the club's history, having played during one of the Spanish giants' worst periods.

He's also played in his native Brazil for Internacional and Gremio, as well as two spells with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. Rochemback would finish his professional career in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Professional F.C.