Football

Brazil's national football team and its coach, Dorival Junior, have expressed their dismay and condemnation over the recent rape convictions of former internationals Robinho and Dani Alves.Robinho, 40, was sentenced to nine years in prison in Brazil for his involvement in a gang rape in Italy in 2013. Alves, also 40, received a four-and-a-half year sentence for raping a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022."As coach of the national team, I have an obligation to speak out," said Dorival ahead of Brazil's international friendly against England at Wembley on Saturday. "First, I think it's a very delicate situation. I think of the families and especially the victims affected by these cases which occur every day in our country and around the world."Dorival, who took over the five-time world champions in January, said the situation of Robinho, whom he coached at Brazilian club Santos, was particularly painful for him. "If it has been proven that there was any crime, he must be punished even if it hurts my heart to say this about a person with whom I have always had an exceptional relationship," added the 61-year-old."I didn't have the opportunity to work with Daniel, but we all know his story within football. It's a difficult time for all of us to express ourselves in these situations."Dorival emphasized his concern for the victims and their families. "I know how painful it must have been for each of them. What I can do is help them with prayers, nothing more."In a statement on Friday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) described the cases as "shameful," expressing its support for "the victims of the two brutal crimes committed by former players." CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues added that in an environment where "machismo reigns," men must "fight not only sexual violence, but all kinds of violence."Brazil full-back Danilo, who will captain the national side against England, called on the football authorities to raise awareness among young players, to put themselves "in women's shoes in a more empathetic way."The convictions of Robinho and Alves have sparked outrage and condemnation in Brazil and around the world, highlighting the ongoing problem of sexual violence and the need for accountability in all walks of life, including the world of sports.

Former Manchester City and Real Madrid star Robinho has been arrested in Brazil to serve a nine-year sentence for raping a woman in 2013. The arrest comes after the Supreme Court rejected his request to delay the sentence.Robinho was found guilty by an Italian court in 2017 of participating in the gang rape of an Albanian woman in Milan. He lost an appeal in 2020 and had his sentence upheld by Italy's highest court in 2022.As Brazil does not extradite its nationals, Italy requested that Robinho serve his sentence in his home country. A court in Brasilia agreed, and on Thursday, court president Maria Thereza de Assis Moura signed a document paving the way for an arrest warrant.Robinho's lawyers had filed a request to the Supreme Court to allow him to remain free while challenging the latest court decision, but it was rejected. He was arrested at his luxury condominium in Guaruja, near Santos, and will be taken to a prison in Tremembe.Robinho has denied the charges and claimed the sex was consensual. However, the complaint alleges that he and his co-accused made the victim drink to the point of unconsciousness and then had sexual relations with her multiple times.The case has sparked criticism over the failure of football authorities in Brazil to condemn violence against women. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has lashed out at the football world for its silence on the twin rape convictions of Robinho and former Barcelona defender Dani Alves.Robinho's arrest marks a dramatic fall from grace for the former star, who was once touted as the successor to the golden generation of Brazilian players. He has 100 Brazil caps and 28 goals for his country.