GREMIO president Paulo Odone has ruled out signing former Brazil international Mario Jardel, who this week admitted he is recovering from a cocaine addiction.
The former Porto and Bolton striker, who was Europe's top scorer in 1999 and 2002, on Tuesday insisted he had been clean for two months and "would like to play in a big team - maybe Gremio or Vasco da Gama".
However, Odone has dismissed the chances of Jardel returning to the club he represented between 1995 and 1996.
"I'd love to have the Jardel who played 10 years ago. We like him, we've been touched by his problem.
"However, it's not our job to be a recovery spa for him."
The Brazilian giants' director of football, Andre Krieger, was more subtle in rejecting the idea of signing the 34-year-old.
"We must put reason before emotion," he said. "At this time, we have different priorities and more important problems to solve.
"In the future, maybe we can look at his situation, but now we have other priorities."
However, Odone has dismissed the chances of Jardel returning to the club he represented between 1995 and 1996.
"I'd love to have the Jardel who played 10 years ago. We like him, we've been touched by his problem.
"However, it's not our job to be a recovery spa for him."
The Brazilian giants' director of football, Andre Krieger, was more subtle in rejecting the idea of signing the 34-year-old.
"We must put reason before emotion," he said. "At this time, we have different priorities and more important problems to solve.
"In the future, maybe we can look at his situation, but now we have other priorities."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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