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Adriano’s Accuser Recants Story, Now Claims Gunshot Was Self-Inflicted

Adriene Pinto, the 20-year-old woman who claimed Brazilian soccer star Adriano shot her in the hand Saturday, has reversed her story following testimony from witnesses and the player himself. The Daily Mail reports the woman lied about the shooting to attract fame.

“It has now emerged Pinto recanted her earlier earlier testimony,” according to the report, “and claimed she picked up the .44 caliber pistol that was beneath the driver’s seat. She says she was handling it when it accidentally went off.

“The two of the other women who were in the car, both aged 28, later contested Ms. Pinto’s version of events, claiming she had shot herself in the hand in a deliberate attempt to attract publicity.”

“Adriano – full name Adriano Leite Ribeiro – spent Christmas Eve being interrogated by police.”

The former Inter Milan (four-time Serie A winner) and Brazil star now plays in his homeland for 2011 league champion Corinthians.

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Photo via Flickr/nikefutebol