There is a piece of news that is making a lot of noise in Brazil at the moment. Indeed, a Brazilian court is due to rule on March 20 on the case of former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho, convicted in 2017 for his involvement in a group sexual assault.
The Brazilian president spoke about this case in an interview last Monday, expressing his wish that the footballer be convicted by local authorities. He stressed the importance of severely punishing perpetrators of rape, saying any sexual relationship must be based on mutual consent.
Robinho and five others were found guilty of gang-raping a woman after getting her drunk. His conviction was upheld by an appeals court in 2020 and by the Italian Supreme Court in January 2022, earning him a nine-year prison sentence.
Brazil does not surrender its citizens convicted abroad, and the country’s Superior Court of Justice will have to decide whether Robinho will serve his sentence in Brazil. This case raises intense debates about the responsibility of celebrities and influential people before the law, as well as the protection of rape victims.
It is essential to make it clear that the crimes of rape cannot be tolerated and that perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions. This case highlights the importance of tackling sexual crimes and ensuring justice is delivered fairly to all.
In short, the Robinho affair raises crucial questions about morality and individual responsibility, and reminds us that no one is above the law, no matter their social status or celebrity.