Former Manchester United star Anderson is facing the prospect of a 30-day custodial sentence in Brazil following a court ruling relating to unpaid child support.
The 37-year-old, who won four Premier League titles during his seven-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford, was the subject of a decision issued by a family court in Porto Alegre earlier this month.
Brazilian media have reported that the ruling gives him the option of settling the outstanding amount — said to be just over one million reais (around £142,000) — or serving time under a “closed regime” in a local facility if space is available.
Under Brazilian law, a closed regime generally means the individual must remain in custody under full supervision.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
If the local system is overcrowded, reports say Anderson could instead be placed under a more flexible semi-open arrangement, allowing limited daily activities such as study or community work before returning to a designated residence at night.
Anderson has not publicly commented on the case.
His lawyer, Julio Cezar Coitinho Jr, told local outlets that the matter involves ,children but declined to go into detail, citing a court order restricting disclosure.
JUST IN: Anthony Joshua 'agrees to controversial boxing clash' as details emerge 12 months after last fight
Anderson won four Premier League titles during his spell at Manchester United
|GETTY
The midfielder, whose full name is Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, enjoyed a decorated career after joining United from Porto in 2007.
He was part of the squads that won the Champions League in 2008 and four Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving the club for Internacional in 2015.
He also represented Brazil eight times at senior level, including at the 2007 Copa América, which they won, and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he helped secure a bronze medal.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Anderson was once close to Cristiano Ronaldo during their time at Manchester United
|PA
Anderson retired from professional football at 31 after a brief spell with Turkish club Adana Demirspor.
In later interviews, he spoke fondly of his time in Manchester, recalling how Cristiano Ronaldo let him and former teammate Nani live at his house during their early days in England.
Discussing Ronaldo, he once said: "I thank him very much. He adopted me.
"We lived at Ronaldo's house for almost a year. We left because we wanted to leave.
"For him we could have stayed there. We didn't spend anything.
"The guy took us to training, fed us, had a cook for us.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Christian Horner makes Geri Halliwell decision after receiving huge payout from Red Bull
- Marcus Rashford sensationally branded 'a disgrace' by Paul Scholes in astonishing rant about Man Utd loanee
- Former Hartlepool boss launches stinging attack on Jeff Stelling - 'Wouldn't p**s on him if he was on fire'
Anderson celebrates after helping Manchester United win the Champions League in 2008
|PA
"There was a swimming pool inside and outside the house, a jacuzzi, and a tennis court."
United fans around the world will remember Anderson for his combative midfield displays, trademark smile and his key role in United’s 2008 Champions League triumph.
He also once flourished in a 1-0 away win over Liverpool, where he kept Steven Gerrard quiet for the whole 90 minutes.
The current case is expected to remain under judicial review until a resolution is reached or the required payment is made.
Anderson, speaking last year, revealed he had nine children.