Former Brazilian football star Robinho has been detained to begin a nine-year sentence for his involvement in the rape of an Albanian woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013.
The conviction occurred in Italy two years ago, where Robinho was found guilty of participating in a gang rape. The 40-year-old was apprehended in his hometown of Santos, Brazil, following Italy’s unsuccessful attempt to extradite him and subsequent request for him to serve his sentence in Brazil.
A Brazilian court recently confirmed that Robinho is to be incarcerated, rejecting an option for house arrest. This decision came shortly after a Supreme Court judge dismissed an appeal against his arrest. The Brazilian justice system’s firm stance on this case has garnered significant approval within local media circles, as there were concerns that Robinho’s celebrity status and wealth might allow him to avoid punishment.
Robinho, who has earned 100 international caps for Brazil and was an AC Milan player at the time of the incident, had previously lost an appeal in 2020. His conviction was later affirmed by Italy’s supreme court in 2022, leading to the issuance of an international arrest warrant. The footballer, also known for his tenure with Manchester City, has claimed in a statement to a Brazilian network that the encounter was consensual.
