Ex-Brazilian Football Star, Robinho to Serve 9-Year Prison Sentence in Brazil Over R@pe Allegations, Others

Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice has ruled that the country’s former football sensation, Robinho, must serve his nine-year prison sentence in Brazil.

This ruling is in connection to his 2017 r@pe conviction in Italy, stemming from a 2013 group sexual assault incident that occurred while Robinho was playing for AC Milan.

Robinho, who is now 40 years old, has been a prominent figure in the world of football, having played for top clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and AC Milan. His conviction relates to a grave incident in Milan, where he was found guilty of participating in a group sexual assault. Italy sought his imprisonment in his home country due to the extradition policy, leading to this recent court ruling.

The decision by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice was reached quickly, surprising many legal analysts who expected a longer deliberation period. The court voted 9-2 to uphold the conviction, reflecting a strong consensus among the judges. During the proceedings, there were notable arguments for and against the validation of the Italian court’s decision. However, the majority agreed that Robinho’s sentence should be executed in Brazil, highlighting the importance of not allowing diplomatic tensions between Brazil and Italy to prevent justice from being served.

Robinho has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that his interactions with the woman in Milan were consensual. His legal team has announced plans to file a request for habeas corpus at Brazil’s Supreme Court, aiming to keep him free while he appeals. Nonetheless, the Brazilian court has already taken steps to ensure Robinho’s compliance with the ruling, including the surrender of his passport to authorities in March 2023.

Robinho’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from his rise to fame with Santos and his successes with the Brazilian national team, to his troubled times in Europe.