Bruno Fernandes de Souza, a former goalkeeper for Brazil’s Flamengo soccer club, has shocked the sport’s world after signing a two-year deal with second-division club Boa Esporte on Monday.

Brazilian Goalie Bruno, Convicted Murderer, Signs with Boa Esporte

The 32-year-old Brazilian, known as simply Bruno by most of his fans, was released from prison just last month for ordering the 2010 kidnapping, torture, and murder of his ex-girlfriend Eliza Samudio, who was also the mother of his child.

Bruno was sentenced to 22 years in jail in 2013. Samudio’s body was never recovered following her torture and murder after she was held in a shed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Bruno’s cousin told a court her dismembered body parts were fed to his teammates’ dogs.

The crime has already generated severe controversy in the country amongst soccer fans, players and others who are rightfully fretting at seeing a convicted killer take the field again.

“This is a barbaric crime,” former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said in 2010, according to The Guardian, following Bruno’s arrest. “The whole of Brazil is disgusted by such a barbaric and perverse crime.”

Bruno’s lawyers obtained his release on a habeas corpus after the slow-moving courts failed to act on his appeal. One video allegedly captured the goalie celebrating his release by drinking champagne with friends.

Boa Esporte said it was not responsible for Bruno’s release in a statement:

“Esporte Clube was not responsible for the release and freedom of the athlete Bruno,” Boa Esporte president Rone Moraes da Costa said on Facebook, according to CNN’s Marilia Brocchetto and Shasta Darlington. Da Costa added his club was “giving work to those who intend to recover.” Boa Esporte said in another Facebook post Bruno “deserves a new opportunity as a professional. … The club has no relation with Bruno’s personal actions, nor with his past, having hired only the professional.”

Bruno’s signing with the club has already been met with criticism amongst Brazilian fans and women’s rights groups, who are saying the lack of punishment dealt to a soccer star is a clear sign of the country’s still highly misogynistic culture.

The NFL has submitted follow-up questions to Ezekiel Elliott relating to the assault accusations made in July by the Dallas Cowboys running back’s ex-girlfriend.

NFL Sends Ezekiel Elliott More Questions About Assault Accusations as investigation continues

Elliott has yet to respond to all of the league’s questions, which he received within the past month, sources stated.

No resolution is expected this season. Sources asserted any potential discipline from the NFL would apply to the 2017 season.

The allegations began last summer, when Elliott’s ex-girlfriend posted pictures of her bruised arms on Instagram and tagged Elliott, thus causing an investigation that has lasted all season.

USA Today Sports reported that police in Aventura, Florida were summoned to Elliott’s apartment in February to investigate an altercation involving the same woman.

Elliott was not arrested and did not face charges related to the alleged incidents. Elliott said he was interviewed by the NFL during the season.

The 21-year-old rookie running back insists that he did nothing wrong and is being compliant.

A player does not need to be charged in the legal system in order to be suspended by the league for a violation of the personal conduct policy.

Along with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, Elliott helped lead Dallas to a 13-3 record this season. Elliott, the fourth overall draft pick out of Ohio State in 2016, recorded 15 touchdowns this season, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. He also compiled 1,631 rushing yards (as of Week 16).

The Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers 34-31 in the dying seconds of Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round Game.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)