Robinho: the Brazilian star was sentenced to prison for a long period of time

Robinho was sentenced to nine years of prison after being found guilty of raping an Albanian 23 years old girl. The former Real Madrid player and five others were found guilty in 2017. The footballer saw his sentence upheld in December but denied the charges and launched another appeal.

The rape of the woman took place on her 23rd birthday at a Milan nightclub in 2013 while he was playing for Serie A giants AC Milan. As reported by G1 Globo, the latest verdict of the Judges of Milan's Court of Appeal means the former Brazil international has 45 days to submit a final appeal to the Supreme Court, Italy's highest court of appeal. No prison sentence will be served until all appeal processes are completed in Italy.

Robinho did admit to having 'contact' with the woman, but called it 'consensual'. He claimed after he left, his friends also had consensual sexual intercourse with the woman - while adding he can't speak for them. His friend Ricardo Falco also saw his charge upheld.

Key evidence used to convict the former Real Madrid star involved intercepted phone calls between Robinho and his friends. It's claimed the Brazilian said the woman 'was completely drunk'. During an interview, Robinho told Brazilian UOL: "A girl approached me, we started to have contact with her consent and mine too... then I went home. When she approached me, she wasn't drunk, because she remembers my name, she remembers who I am. The person who drinks doesn't remember anything. She remembers."

Robinho did express remorse for his actions but said his only regret cheating on his wife Vivian, whom he married in 2009 and has two children with and he added: "I regret cheating on my wife. This is my regret. The question is, what was the mistake I made? What was the crime I did? The mistake was not being faithful to my wife. I didn't make any mistake of raping someone, of abusing some girl or go out with her without her consent."

Robinho re-signed for boyhood club Santos in October after being released by Istanbul Basaksehir. However, his deal was put on hold just two weeks later until the court case is concluded. The club statement read: "Santos and Robinho have by mutual agreement resolved to suspend the contract signed on 10 October so that the player can concentrate exclusively on his court defence in Italy."