Rio de Janeiro: The brother of former Barcelona and AC Milan star Ronaldinho has been sentenced to five and a half years in jail after being convicted of money laundering.

A Brazilian court ruled Roberto de Assis, who also acts as Ronaldinho's agent, lied to the Brazilian Central Bank about the 2003 transfers of a reported $884,496 from abroad.

He was also found guilty of failing to declare bank accounts held in Switzerland, Xinhua reported.

The ruling says Assis will be held in a semi-open facility where he has the right to leave during the day but must return at night.

\He has also been fined the equivalent of 40 minimum salaries in Brazil at the time of the crimes. (IANS)