Sao Paulo, Jul 10 (IANS/EFE): A former police officer was arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kill a former mistress of Brazilian soccer star Bruno Fernandes.

The accused was held in Belo Horizonte city. Fernandes plotted to kill his girlfriend after she claimed he fathered her child, the authorities said Friday.

Police inspector Edson Moreira told a press conference that Samudio's (girlfriend) death "is materially proved" even though the body has not been found.

Seven people, including Fernandes and his wife Dayane Souza, were arrested for kidnapping, murdering and hiding the body of the model, as well as for abducting her four-month-old baby.

The infant was found safe by police two weeks ago in the care of Souza's friends and is now with his maternal grandfather.

Fernandes, the goalkeeper and captain of Brazil's most popular club Flamengo, had been watched by police for three weeks, ever since it was reported that his girlfriend disappeared after filing a paternity suit against him. Meanwhile, Flamengo has suspended the footballer.