Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt André Luís Siqueira Pinheiro, known in the sport’s community by his nickname “André Motoca,” is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant in Brazil for a final criminal conviction for rape, with a sentence of 15 years in closed regime. Hours after BJJ Girls Mag reached out to Palm Sports, the company that organizes major jiu-jitsu events in Abu Dhabi, the athlete was suspended with immediate effect and is reportedly returning to Brazil this weekend.
What the warrant says
The arrest warrant was issued on March 11, 2025 by the 1st Court of Domestic and Family Violence Against Women of Santo Amaro, in São Paulo, Brazil, under case 0021620-72.2017.8.26.0002. The conviction is final and not subject to further appeal. The sentence was issued by the 8th Criminal Chamber of the São Paulo State Court of Justice.
The warrant remains listed as “Pending Enforcement” on the official Arrest Warrants Portal of the Brazilian National Council of Justice. The document can be verified by anyone at portalbnmp.cnj.jus.br by searching the athlete’s full name or the case number.
Despite the active warrant, BJJ Girls Mag has confirmed the athlete has been actively competing in international jiu-jitsu events sanctioned by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) and Palm Sports, based in Abu Dhabi.
Palm Sports response: immediate suspension
BJJ Girls Mag reached out by email to Palm Sports, UAEJJF, IBJJF and CBJJ requesting an official position on the case. Palm Sports was the first entity to respond, less than three hours after the initial contact. The statement was signed by Fouad Darwish on April 30 and is published here in full:
“Good day and thank you for contacting us at Palm Sports. Our love for the sport and our athletes is incontestable, and it is from this spirit that I am reverting to you.”
“In your earlier email you referred to me as part of the UAEJJF and that is not the case. The UAEJJF is our federation and governing authority. I am employed by Palm Sports, which is a private company operating under the authority of the UAEJJF.”
“As to the incident referred to in the below, we were completely unaware of the misfortunate incident and only became aware when I received a random call this morning and later saw your emails.”
“Palm Sports stands tall when it comes to corporate governance, ethics, and be certain we have zero tolerance of any breaches and accordingly suspended the employee effective this morning. He will be travelling back to Brazil this weekend and he has reiterated to his line manager that he will go and face his challenges there.”
“Thank you.”
What the response confirms
Palm Sports’s statement confirms three relevant points for the ongoing reporting. First, the athlete was employed by the company, not just competing as an independent athlete. Second, Palm Sports had no previous knowledge of the case until being contacted by media and sources within the jiu-jitsu community, and no internal review was in place before that. Third, and most consequential, André Motoca is, according to Palm Sports itself, returning to Brazil this weekend with the stated intention of “facing his challenges” in the country.
Once on Brazilian soil, the athlete is subject to immediate arrest by Brazilian authorities, given the active warrant.
UAEJJF, IBJJF and CBJJ remain silent
Three other entities contacted by BJJ Girls Mag, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and the Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJ), had not responded as of publication. The messages were sent earlier in the same week, simultaneously to the one sent to Palm Sports.
Sources within the UAEJJF told BJJ Girls Mag that both governing bodies have become aware of the case and would be conducting an internal review, with no official confirmation as of publication.
The bigger picture
The case adds to a sequence of allegations and convictions shaking the jiu-jitsu world in recent weeks. Last week, BJJ Girls Mag reported on the case of Brazilian instructor Luis Eduardo, who left Orlando BJJ after raising sexual harassment complaints that he says were dismissed by the academy’s management. Earlier this week, Brazilian coach Melqui Galvão was arrested in Manaus on temporary detention for alleged sexual crimes against students.
Different cases at different stages, but together painting a picture the global jiu-jitsu community has begun calling its #MeToo moment. In all of them, victims and their families have been calling for institutional silence to be replaced by concrete responses from federations, academies and teams.
About this report
This article was produced based on official documents from the São Paulo State Court of Justice, with current status verified at the National Council of Justice’s official Arrest Warrants Portal, and on direct correspondence with Palm Sports. The athlete’s name is being published given the active arrest warrant, the public interest involving professional sports activity, and the explicit authorization for public disclosure granted by the family of one of the victims through legal counsel. Victim identities have not been and will not be disclosed under any circumstances.
BJJ Girls Mag will continue covering the case. Should the athlete’s defense wish to exercise the right of reply, contact bjjgirlsmag@gmail.com. Any statement will be published in full, with the same visibility as this report.