RIO DE JANEIRO - Controversial Brazilian striker Adriano failed to appear at a police interview on Monday in connection with alleged links to a drug-dealing gang that has been accused of murdering police officers.

Adriano had been summoned for a 1700 GMT meeting to be quizzed by chief Luiz Alberto Cunha de Andrade.

But he did not show in person, instead sending his lawyer, Adilson Fernandes, to ask for the meeting to be delayed, a police spokesman told AFP, adding no date had been set for the footballer to reappear.