Arrest warrant issued in Brazil for Douglas Costa, who was released by Sydney FC on Wednesday

Douglas Costa is facing the possibility of a 30-day stint in jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Brazil over child support issues, a day after the former Bayern Munich and Juventus star was released from his contract by Sydney FC.

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reported that it had seen legal documents from the 6ª Family Court of Porto Alegre, signed by a judge, containing the arrest warrant, which is valid for two years and stipulates the 30-day sentence.

It relates to nearly $140,000 in alimony payments that Costa allegedly failed to make. The report claims this is the second time Costa has been at risk of arrest over child support in Brazil, the first coming two years ago when he was playing for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, and that Costa’s lawyers declined to comment.

Costa, 35, signed a two-year deal for Sydney FC last year and was impressive in his debut A-League campaign, although his output was restricted by injuries and the team ultimately disappointed by missing out on the finals. The Sky Blues confirmed on Wednesday night that he had been let go due to “ongoing legal and personal matters”.

“I am very sorry that I cannot return at this time due to the matters I must resolve at home, but I will always remember my time in Sydney fondly,” Costa said in a statement.

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Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay had expressed hope that Costa would be able to link up with the team again, but the situation dragged on for two months. The club began planning for a future without him some time ago and says it will be able to sign another foreign player if required in the January transfer window.

Peruvian international Piero Quispe, French-born Congolese defender Marcel Tisserand, and Spanish forward Víctor Campuzano have joined Sydney ahead of the new season, which starts next month, joining Englishman Joe Lolley as the four current visa players. The club has also signed young attacking player Abel Walatee from the “hibernating” Western United.

Meanwhile, the other big-name marquee signing from last season, Juan Mata, has left the Western Sydney Wanderers to play for Melbourne Victory.

Mata, 37, admitted he was “frustrated” by the bit-part role he played for the Wanderers, starting just seven times and logging only 599 minutes on the pitch, and was optimistic that he would play more often under coach Arthur Diles at Victory, last season’s beaten grand finalists.

“Game time is something that we all want as football players,” said Mata.

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