Robinho: The fugitive from Italian justice who still has supporters in Brazil

Robinho in action for Istanbul
Robinho's last appearance came for Istanbul Basaksehir during the 2019-20 season

September 2020 is early. There are no outdoor activities allowed on the beaches ofSantos because of the high number of deaths caused by Covid-19 infections.

Robinho has already caused public outrage by being pictured playing his beloved footvolley (without a mandatory mask) on the Canal 6, his favourite waterside spot.

He has to figure out a way to keep practicing.

He asked his old team if he could use their facilities.

They immediately give him access. There is one major issue that is overlooked and that is Robinho's conviction for taking part in a gang rape in Italy and a nine-year jail sentence he unsuccessfully appealed against and has refused to return to Europe to complete.

After leaving Istanbul Basaksehir, the man who was once Britain's most expensive footballer, became a free agent and was seen arriving at the Santos training ground in his Beetle almost every day.

Many officials, players and fans at the club welcomed his presence and were hopeful that he would sign for them for the fourth time in his career.

On the same day that Brazil celebrated its "National Day of Fight Against Violence Against Women", Santos signed his five-month contract.

The move caused an uproar.

Bancada das Sereias, a feminist collective formed by fans of Santos, told Placar magazine that they need their voice to be heard. We, Santos women's fans, don't want him at the club.

When a sponsor ended a contract and multiple others protested,Santos suspended his deal, stating that the player would be focused on his defence.

Robinho lost his final appeal against his conviction for taking part in the gang rape of an Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub and had his jail sentence upheld by Italy's top court.

One of the youth academy pitches is still named after him and his image can be found at multiple locations inside the Vila Belmiro stadium.

No member of the club's board has come forward to speak about it.

The current administration should address this issue since I am no longer the president, according to the man who brought Robinho back in 2020.

Robinho is expected to be added to the list of wanted criminals.

The man capped 100 times by Brazil and a veteran of two World Cup has been nowhere to be seen publicly, having spent the past few months posting only family pictures and biblical verse on social media.

It is not clear if he will play again. Will he ever serve his sentence?

Short presentational grey line

The answer to that question may be no because of the anger of those who wish to see Robinho punished.

Italian authorities have indicated they will try to get him extradited, but it is unlikely he will serve his sentence as Brazil does not extradite its own citizens.

If he stays in Brazil, the Italians will ask for his jail time to be served in his home country. They have no control over that.

He can be arrested and extradited if he steps into one of the other countries with a treaty.

Robinho, right, celebrates a Manchester City goal
Manchester City beat Chelsea to the signing of Robinho in 2008, with then City manager Mark Hughes declaring the deal "a real statement of intent"

Robinho decided not to attend any of the hearings during almost six years of trials in Italy.

He wanted to live his life as normal as possible.

On Christmas Eve in 2021, Robinho was pictured with Neymar at the Paris St-Germain forward's grandmother's house, weeks before his final appeal would be heard in Italy.

Neymar Instagram post showing picture of him and Robinho

It came as no surprise that Robinho would be pictured with the best and most famous current player in Brazil.

Robinho said that he got in touch with the legal team who helped prove his innocence after he was accused of rape.

Robinho is popular with some of his colleagues in Brazil, because of the status he has in the country.

He has a footvolley court in one of his houses and hosted a tournament in December which attracted names of the calibre of Malcom, who had a brief spell with Barcelona.

It was shocking to many in his homeland that Robinho was invited to a charity match despite the seriousness of the charges against him. The Vila Belmiro was where he got to play with the likes of Junior Moraes.

The main game was broadcasted to the entire country and fans in the stands, but he chose to skip it.

Short presentational grey line

Five years have passed since Robinho last appeared for the national team.

His international days are over, but it is not certain that he will ever play again.

It would not be surprising to see him get another chance on the pitch after training for a while with Portuarios.

There is precedent. Cuca was the league title-winning manager of Brazilian football last year.

The man who led the team to the title was convicted of taking part in a gang rape of a girl in Switzerland in 1987. He was allowed to return to his home after almost a month in prison. He was already back in Brazil when the sentence was announced and never served it. He earned a call-up for the national team in 1991, which had no impact on his football career.

Cuca hung up his boots in 1996 and immediately started a coaching career that has been successful so far.

He encouraged the club to sign Robinho on a playing contract, describing him as a wonderful person.

He is the most likely successor to Tite, who is set to leave his post as Brazil boss after the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.

Walter Casagrande, one of Brazil's most popular football pundits, said that Robinho had to serve his sentence.

We have to demand it every day because we cannot let this crime be forgotten like it was with Cuca. I share the opinion of those who cannot see any regret.

I don't know how they can live their lives like this, having a clean conscience and sleeping well after such a terrible act.

Globo host Ana Paula Araujo, who recently wrote a book called "Abuso, a Cultura do Estupro no Brasil" (Abuse, the Rape Culture in Brazil), told Placar that Robinho's reaction to his original conviction.

Last week, after Robinho lost his appeal, the main host of Sport TV said that he was still a free man. He can sign for any team.

I only ask myself how someone who has been convicted of rape can go to a bakery and look at his wife and sons?

I don't know how someone can live freely after a rape conviction.