Ex-Real Madrid striker sentenced to nine years in prison in Brazil after rape conviction

Former Manchester City, AC Milan and Real Madrid striker Robinho has been ordered to serve his nine-year rape sentence in a Brazilian prison after the Brazilian Supreme Court approved a request made by the Italian authorities, pending appeal.

The Supreme Court voted nine to two in favor Robin complete the sentence in Brazil. The 40-year-old Brazilian had avoided justice in Italy after being convicted of rape in an incident in 2013, as Brazil does not have an extradition policy for nationals.

Robinho for his part maintains his innocence, claiming that it was a consensual relationship, but the Italian police presented audio evidence that denies that version of events. The incident happened during his time at AC Milan. He can appeal the decision, but he will have to go to prison first, and the magistrate said that it was not his job to review the verdict, only to assess whether he met the requirements for the sentence to be transferred, as reported by Sport.

This decision came on the same day as the former international partner Dani Alves was given a bail of 1 million euros package to be released from prison, as he awaits his appeal against a conviction for rape.