Robinho given 9-year sentence in Italy

Former AC Milan and Real Madrid striker Robinho has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Italy after he was convicted of gang rape, according to local media reports Thursday.

The alleged incident occurred in January 2013, when the Brazilian was playing for Milan in Serie A.  He was found guilty in absentia by an Italian court for raping a 22-year-old Albanian woman.

Five of the player's friends were accused of the same crime. One of the accused was also given a nine-year prison sentence while the trial of the four others has been suspended because they are on the run.

The court in Milan also ordered those found guilty to pay the victim 60,000 euros.

Robinho, who is currently playing for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, posted messages on his Instagram and Facebook profiles protesting his innocence and his lawyer said an appeal against the verdict had been launched.

"We have already said that he has defended himself against these accusations and stated that he played no role in this incident," the statement said. "All legal measures have already been taken."

The sentence is suspended while appeals take place.

Attorney Dorival Guimaraes spoke to Globo Esporte regarding the case and made it clear that as of today there were no restrictions on the player's movement. He also added that there was presently no possibility of imprisonment for sever reasons. The main reason being that the conviction was pending appeal and the second that a decision made in Italy has no value in Brazil.

He added that even if the conviction was upheld in the face of the appeal, there would still be no chance of Robinho being imprisoned because the Brazilian constitution does not allow the extradition of native Brazilians.

What could happen, with a final condemnation, is a formulated request for the arrest by Italy of another country in which Robinho is, if he chooses to leave Brazil for any reason.

However, although he currently plies his trade for a Brazilian club, he will only have to leave the country for their regional competition, which may lead to his arrest.

What he may suffer in Brazil is that if this decision comes with a prison and conviction of moral damages or payment of compensation. This part of the civil aspect, once transposed and judged, can be executed in Brazil.