The lawyer of Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves has explained why the Brazilian signed a deal with AZ Alkmaar before agreeing to move to Teesside.

Lawyer Pim de Vos, who represented Brazil international Alves at a Dutch tribunal hearing to strike out the Alkmaar deal, said: "Afonso can't help it. He can't read and write. He does not speak English. He does not control anything in his life apart from a football on the pitch."