Brazil’s justice system will decide on Wednesday whether former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho will serve nine years in the South American country for rape, a sentence imposed by an Italian court. Brazil’s High Court of Justice (STJ) will review Italy’s request to approve a prison sentence imposed in 2017 and approved in 2022. “I hope that here in Brazil I can have a voice that I don’t have in Brazil,” Robinho said. He maintained his innocence in an interview with Brazilian television station TV Record on Sunday.

Robson de Souza, popularly known as “Robinho”, despite being convicted of the 2013 gang rape of six men in a Milan nightclub of a young Albanian woman who was celebrating her 23rd birthday, But he remains at large.

Former Brazil international Robinho was playing for AC Milan at the time.

Italy’s Supreme Court upheld his conviction, and Italian prosecutors subsequently issued an international arrest warrant.

However, Brazil did not extradite its national and Italy demanded that Robinho serve his sentence in his home country.

On Sunday, Robinho accused Italy’s judicial system of “racism”.

“It was mutually agreed upon,” Robinho told TV Record.

“I never denied (the encounter). I could have denied it because my DNA wasn’t there, but I’m not a liar.

“I played in Italy for four years and I’m tired of seeing stories about racism. Those who do nothing about racism, which I deny, are the same people who condemn me.”

If the ruling goes against him, the 40-year-old could remain free while he awaits an appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he hoped Robinho could “serve his sentence” in Brazil.

“Unprecedented case”

According to Brazilian media reports, a magistrate is expected to approve Italy’s request.

“Approval is not common because the law allowing it is relatively new. This would be an unprecedented case in Brazil,” lawyer Leonardo Pantaleao told AFP.

Meanwhile, Robinho’s case and that of former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves have fueled criticism of Brazilian football authorities’ failure to condemn violence against women.

In February, 40-year-old former Brazil international Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the player’s former club and former teammates have remained silent on the case.

Former Brazil coach Tite said he “cannot make a judgment without having all the facts and true information about the case”.

It was a dramatic fall from grace for Robinho.

Robinho began his career at Santos, a team famous for Brazilian star Pele, and was hailed as the successor to the golden generation of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. .

In 2005, Robinho left Santos and joined Real Madrid, alongside Zidane and national team teammates Ronaldo and David Beckham.

However, although Robinho has played for big European teams and won the Confederations Cup twice in 2005 and 2009 and the Copa America in 2007, Robinho has only shown his ability intermittently. of talent.

In 2009, he was briefly detained in the UK on suspicion of sexually assaulting a young woman, but the charges were dropped following an investigation.

He returned to Santos in 2020, but the club suspended the deal under pressure from fans, sponsors and media, leading to an abrupt end to his career.

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