In a significant development, former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward, Robinho, was arrested in Brazil on Thursday after a supreme court decision mandated the commencement of his nine-year prison sentence for rape. The decision came following a failed last-minute appeal to delay the sentence. The arrest was carried out by the Federal Police in Santos, southeastern Brazil, as per a statement to AFP, indicating a pivotal moment in the long-standing legal battle that has attracted widespread attention.
Robinho, whose real name is Robson de Souza, was convicted in 2017 by an Italian court for participating in the gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub in 2013. Despite his claims of innocence and accusations against the Italian justice system, Italy’s highest court upheld his sentence in 2022, leading to an international arrest warrant. Brazil, not extraditing its nationals, received a request from Italy for Robinho to serve his sentence domestically, which was affirmed by a Brasilia court.
The case has reignited discussions on violence against women in sports, with Palmeiras president Leila Pereira criticizing the silence within the football community on such serious issues. Robinho’s fall from grace has been stark; once celebrated as a promising talent in Brazilian and international football, his career has been marred by legal controversies and public backlash, culminating in this latest arrest.
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