Former Brazilian international Robinho, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence in São Paulo, has reportedly taken up a coaching role behind bars, according to CNN Brasil.
The ex-AC Milan and Manchester City forward is said to be managing a team in an internal tournament organised within the penitentiary.
His profile has grown among fellow inmates, with many seeking him out for photographs, autographs and personal encounters.
By the time his sentence concludes, Robinho will be approaching his 50th birthday.
Here’s a clear and factual background on why Robinho is currently serving a prison sentence:
The Facts Behind Robinho’s Imprisonment
In 2017, an Italian court convicted Brazilian footballer Robson de Souza (Robinho) and five other men of gang-raping a 22-year-old Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub in 2013. The court found that she had been intoxicated “to the point of rendering her unconscious and unable to resist” .
The conviction was upheld on appeal in 2020, and Italy’s Supreme Court (the Court of Cassation) confirmed it again in January 2022, making the verdict final .
Following the final ruling, Italy issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho in 2022 .
Brazil, however, does not extradite its nationals, meaning Robinho could not be sent to Italy to serve his sentence .
In 2023, Italy formally asked Brazil to enforce Robinho’s sentence domestically, a request made possible by a Brazilian law (introduced in 2017) that allows such enforcement under specific conditions .
On 20 March 2024, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice ruled by a 9–2 majority that Robinho must indeed serve his nine-year sentence in Brazil, citing the principle that “Brazil cannot be a refuge for criminals” .
The same court also denied a habeas corpus request that would have allowed Robinho to remain free pending appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court .
Consequently, on 21 March 2024, Robinho turned himself in and began serving his sentence in Brazil .
Robinho continues to deny the charges, insisting the sexual encounter was consensual and alleging racism played a role in the Italian proceedings .
