Brazilian World Cup winner Edilson charged as part of fraud ring

Edilson (L) of Botafogo celebrates scoring against Corinthians during their Brazilian championship soccer match at the Arena de Sao Paulo Stadium, one of the venues for the 2014 World Cup in the Sao Paulo district of Itaquera June 1, 2014. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A former World Cup winning footballer has been charged with corruption as part of an organised crime ring that was defrauding banks, Brazil's federal police said on Tuesday.

Edilson, a nimble midfielder who played four matches when Brazil won the World Cup in 2002, was one of 11 people charged with crimes including fraud, falsifying public documents, corruption and money laundering.