Former Brazilian footballer Robinho will have to serve a nine-year prison sentence in his home country for a rape conviction in Italy in 2017.
That decision was made by Brazil's High Court, whose judges voted 9-2 to uphold the conviction. The former player of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Milan has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court in Brazil.
Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison in Italy for participating in a group sexual assault in 2013 while playing for Milan.
Brazil does not extradite its nationals, prompting Italy to request that the 40-year-old Robinho serve his sentence in his homeland.
His lawyer, José Eduardo Alcmin, said at the beginning of the hearing that Robinho wanted a new trial in Brazil based on national sovereignty.
The first referee to vote, Francisco Falcao, said that Robinho should serve his sentence in Brazil. He added that the former footballer must not go unpunished and that relations between Italy and Brazil could become strained if Robinho does not serve his sentence.
"There is no obstacle to confirm the execution of his sentence. This was also confirmed by the court in Milan, which is competent in this case. The conviction is final. The accused was not tried in absentia in Italy, he had a representative," said Falcao.
Robinho lives in Santos, outside Sao Paolo. He surrendered his passport to Brazilian authorities last March.
Robinjo continues to deny the accusations and claims that the sexual relations with the woman in the bar in Milan were consensual.
He had a successful career and won numerous trophies. He played 2003 games for the Brazilian national team from 2017 to 100, scored 28 goals and won two Confederations Cups and the Copa América.
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