A court in Milan has sentenced Brazil international Robinho to nine years in prison for a group sexual assault, according to Italian state news agency ANSA.
The former AC Milan and Manchester City forward has been convicted of being one of six people involved in the assault of a 22-year-old woman at a Milanese nightclub on January 22, 2013.
Robinho played for Milan between 2010 and 2015. He is currently with Atletico Mineiro and made his last appearance for the national team against Colombia in January.
As Robinho is a Brazilian national currently residing in his home country, however, he is highly unlikely to face jail time for his offences.
According to local legislation no Brazilian citizen can be extradited to another country under request to face criminal charges, although that will not apply should he leave his home nation and is detained elsewhere.
Robinho’s current club, Atletico Mineiro, declined to comment on the sentence, stating they would only speak through the team’s lawyers if necessary.
The star, meanwhile, issued a statement on Instagram denying his involvement.
“With regards to the news involving the forward Robinho, regarding something that happened some years ago, we would like to clarify that he has already defended himself against the allegation, affirming that he was not involved in the incident,” the statement read.
“Every legal measure is being taken about this first ruling.”
Robinho, 33, started his career with Santos, and as a teenager helped the Peixe to their first Serie A title for 20 years.
That sparkling form led him to Real Madrid, where he starred for three seasons before earning a lucrative move to Manchester City in 2008.
A lack of discipline, however, began to dog Robinho, and he was soon returning to Santos before a spell in Italy where the assault took place.
After a short stint at China Robinho moved to Belo Horizonte, where he has become a key part of Atletico’s first team over the past two seasons alongside fellow City old boy Jo.
