Preventive arrest of Grêmio technical assistant revoked, says defense

Technical assistant Alexandre Mendes, from Grêmio, had his preventive detention revoked by the courts this Friday (9), according to his defense. When contacted, the Court of Justice stated that it cannot confirm the information, as it is a process that is being processed in secrecy. Mendes must leave the prison unit in Canoas.

"Alexandre Pereira Mendes' defense informs that on today's date a decision was handed down by the Esteio court, following the opinion of the Public Prosecutor's Office, revoking the preventive detention previously decreed", states a note released by his lawyers.

The preventive detention was related to the alleged non-compliance with a protective measure requested by the technical assistant's ex-partner. The court order has been in force since March 5th of this year and was allegedly breached between the end of August and the beginning of September. He was arrested last Thursday (8).

To g1, lawyer Bruna Aspar Lima stated that coach Renato Portaluppi's assistant must leave the Canoas State Penitentiary (Pecan 1) in the next few minutes.

"It was a decision made today at 6:40 pm, after a favorable opinion from the Public Prosecutor's Office after analyzing the testimonies of the victims and witnesses that the alleged victim had not approached Alexandre", he declared.

According to her, the release permit has already been issued and no other legal measures have been determined. The previous protective measure, however, remains active: Alexandre Mendes cannot approach or have contact with his ex-partner.

Defense note

"Alexandre Pereira Mendes' defense informs that on today's date a decision was handed down by the Esteio court, following the opinion of the Public Prosecutor's Office, revoking the preventive detention previously decreed. The accusation of violation of a protective measure is false. Alexandre and his ex-spouse were present at the Esteio Exhibition Park (Expointer), a public place frequented by thousands of people. There was never any approach or intention to approach his ex-spouse, quite the opposite: Alexandre makes a point of not approach.

The defense requested that the telephone secrecy of both terminals be broken to prove their geographical position on the Park's ERB antenna, in order to highlight the day and time that each person was there.

Alexandre is available to the courts whenever necessary, and will now focus on exercising his profession.

Porto Alegre, October 9, 2026.

ANDREI ZENKNER SCHMIDT

OAB/RS 51.319

BRUNA ASPAR LIMA

OAB/RS 64.164

TAPIR ROCHA NETO

OAB/RS 84.515"

Who is Alexandre Mendes

Grêmio's technical assistant Alexandre Mendes, aged 62, was arrested this Thursday (8), upon arriving in Porto Alegre with the club's delegation after a trip to Belém. Professional partner of Renato Portaluppi for 21 years, he was detained for failing to comply with a protective measure, in force since March this year, requested by his ex-partner.

Renato and Alexandre Mendes met when the current Grêmio coach was still a player. Graduated in physical education, Mendes worked as a physical preparation assistant at Fluminense in 1995. At Grêmio, Alexandre works as a technical assistant and is part of the coach's committee.

The preventive arrest warrant was served at Salgado Filho International Airport, shortly after the Grêmio delegation disembarked. The team returned from Pará after facing Remo.

According to information from the Federal Police, the operation took place discreetly, following security protocols and without affecting the operation of the terminal. The corporation informed that its participation was limited to compliance with the order issued by the Court of Justice of Rio Grande do Sul.

After his arrest, Mendes was taken to the Tourist Police Station, a Civil Police unit that operates at the airport. He was then sent to the Prison System Strategic Management Center (Nugesp), where he underwent a custody hearing.

After the hearing, the technical assistant was taken to the Canoas State Penitentiary, where he remains detained. Grêmio reported that it “is closely monitoring developments in the case”. Read below in full.

Alexandre Mendes had already become a defendant, in July last year, for psychological violence against his ex-partner, with whom he had a relationship for six years.

Understand the case

In September 2024, Mendes was investigated by the Civil Police after his then partner published an audio on social media in which he asked for help, as well as photos and videos of alleged bruises. At the time, Grêmio announced the preventive dismissal of the professional. The investigation was under the responsibility of the 2nd Police Station Specialized in Women's Assistance (Deam) of Porto Alegre.

The investigation was concluded and sent to the Judiciary without indicting Mendes. The Civil Police did not provide details of the investigation, which did not prove the technical assistant's responsibility for the alleged attacks. The defense stated, at that time, that Mendes denied the attacks and was traveling on the date indicated by the woman.

In 2025, when he was no longer an employee of Grêmio, Mendes became a defendant after a complaint from the Public Ministry for psychological violence against his ex-partner. The two maintained a relationship for six years.

The woman also alleged that Mendes doped her with medication. According to the complaint, on Father's Day 2021, he kept her locked between 11 am and 8 pm in an apartment in Rio de Janeiro.

What Grêmio says

"Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense informs that it is closely following developments in the case involving professional Alexandre Mendes, following the information released this Thursday afternoon (8).

The Club monitors the investigation of facts, of a strictly personal nature, by the competent authorities and will respond as soon as it gathers all the elements relating to the process."

What the Federal Police say

"PF executes arrest warrant at Salgado Filho airport

This Thursday (8/10), the Federal Police served a preventive arrest warrant issued by the Court of Justice of the State of Rio Grande do Sul against a technical assistant from a sports association, upon his disembarkation at Porto Alegre International Airport.

Compliance with the court order occurred discreetly, with observance of security protocols and with the aim of preserving the regularity of airport operations and the safety of everyone involved.

After arrest, the person in custody was taken to the Tourist Police Station, a Civil Police unit at Salgado Filho airport, responsible for adopting the appropriate judicial police procedures.

The actions of the Federal Police were restricted to compliance with the court order, in strict compliance with current legislation."

Grêmio's technical assistant, Alexandre Mendes — Photo: Lucas Uebel/Grêmio FBPA

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