Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jimisayo Opanuga
Published on 2024-03-20 09:18:40
Brazilian justice system is set to make a decision on Wednesday regarding the fate of former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho, who has been sentenced to nine years in prison by an Italian court for rape. The Italian request for approval of the prison sentence, which was initially imposed in 2017 and confirmed in 2022, will be examined by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ).
Robson de Souza, popularly known as “Robinho”, has maintained his innocence and expressed his hope for a fair trial in Brazil, unlike his experience in Italy. He was part of a group of six men who were convicted of gang raping a young Albanian woman celebrating her birthday at a Milan nightclub in 2013 while playing for AC Milan.
Despite the conviction and the sentence being upheld by Italy’s highest court, Robinho has remained free as Brazil does not extradite its nationals. The Italian authorities have requested that he serve his sentence in Brazil, triggering a debate over extradition laws and international cooperation between the two countries.
In an interview with Brazilian network TV Record, Robinho accused the Italian justice system of racism and claimed that the encounter was consensual. He emphasized his willingness to cooperate and his frustration with the lack of action against racism in Italy, which he claims influenced his case.
If the ruling goes against him, the 40-year-old former Brazil international could still remain free while waiting for an appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court. However, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his desire for Robinho to serve his sentence on Brazilian soil, in accordance with the Italian request.
The case of Robinho and that of former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves, who was convicted of rape in Spain, have raised concerns about the treatment of violence against women in the football community. The silence from football authorities in Brazil regarding these cases has sparked criticism and calls for greater accountability and transparency.
Robinho’s career, which began at Santos and saw him rise to fame as a promising talent, has been marred by these legal issues. Despite playing for top clubs in Europe and winning prestigious tournaments with the Brazilian national team, his reputation has been tarnished by these accusations and legal troubles.
As the Brazilian justice system prepares to make a pivotal decision on his fate, Robinho’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing violence against women and ensuring accountability for perpetrators, regardless of their status in society.
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