Player warned over political protest in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A beach volleyball player who was hauled in front of sporting authorities for publicly criticising Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has escaped with a warning.

Carol Solberg shouted “Down with Bolsonaro” in an on-court interview last month after taking third place in a tournament in Rio de Janeiro.

She faced a suspension or heavy fine but Brazil’s Superior Court of Sporting Justice (STJD) converted her 1,000 real ($179.42) fine into a warning.

"If she does it again then the punishment could be heavier," said STJD president Otacilio Soares.

"You’re not there to express your feelings about politics or religion. Athletes can speak out on their social media and no one is going to say anything about it."

Solberg, whose case hit the headlines in the South American nation, said she had no regrets.

"I don’t regret it at all," she said. "Believing in freedom of expression I merely expressed my personal opinion."

(Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier, writing by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris)