Robinho to serve nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape after landmark court ruling

Robinho to serve nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape after landmark court ruling

Watch now: GB News' sports round-up

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/03/2024

- 10:35

Robinho was found guilty by an Italian court in 2017 of taking part in the rape of an Albanian woman.

The former Brazil and Manchester City footballer was found guilty of rape by an Italian court back in 2017 having played for AC Milan at the time of the crime in 2013.

At the time of the sentencing, Robinho was in Brazil and the country's law protected its citizens from being extradited its nationals.


But Brazil's Superior Court of Justice have now reached a landmark decision, according to Globo, after a request from Italian authorities.

Judges in Brazil have now ruled that Robinho must serve his nine-year sentence in jail in the South American nation.

Robinho will reportedly serve a nine-year prison sentence

Robinho will reportedly serve a nine-year prison sentence

GETTY

The judges voted 9-2 to validate Robinho's conviction, but the ex-footballer could lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The vote was said to be regarding whether Robinho should serve his sentence in Brazil or not.

The 40-year-old, who has lived back in Brazil for the past few years, has always denied the charges against him.

Robinho's lawyer, Jose Eduardo Alckmin, is reported to have told the court of his client's request for a retrial in Brazil.

Francisco Falcao was the first judge to vote and claimed diplomatic friction between Italy and Brazil could follow if Robinho goes unpunished.

"There's no obstacle to validate the execution of his sentence. It was confirmed by a court in Milan, which is the competent authority in this case," he said.

"The conviction is final. The defendant was not put on trial in absence in Italy, he had representation."

Robinho shot to stardom at Santos back in 2002 before earning a move to Real Madrid three years later.

Robinho was found guilty back in 2017

Robinho was found guilty back in 2017

GETTY

He helped them win back-to-back league titles in 2007 and 2008 before making the big-money switch to the Etihad.

Robinho failed to make an impression in the Premier League before was eventually sold to AC Milan in 2010.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Robinho formerly played for Manchester City

Robinho formerly played for Manchester City

GETTY

After winning the Serie A in his debut season, Robinho's career petered out before he jumped around the world playing for different clubs in China, Brazil and Turkey.

Robinho made 100 appearances for Brazil with his last coming in 2017 and scored 28 times.

You may like