Robinho gets 9-year prison sentence for rape

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Former Brazil forward Robinho has been found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to nine years in prison by an Italian court on Thursday.

According to La Stampa, Robinho, who now plays for Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, and a friend have also been ordered to pay the victim €60,000.

The outlet reports the two men, along with a group of four other people who have not been identified and therefore have not been sentenced, got a woman drunk and then assaulted her at a Milan nightclub in January 2013.

The Italian justice system permits several levels of appeal. And according to reports, the verdict is placed on hold until all have been exhausted.

Robinho, who then played for AC Milan, had denied any wrongdoing at the time of the allegations, and his lawyer Marisa Alija reiterated on Thursday that the player had no involvement, and has already made legal arrangements to fight the decision.

"Concerning the case involving the forward Robinho, in an incident that occurred some years ago, I want to make clear that my client has already defended himself from these accusations, affirming that he did not have any participation in this episode," she told ESPN Brasil.

"All the legal measures are being taken regarding this decision."

Brazil does not extradite its citizens.

Back in 2009, Robinho, who was with Manchester City at the time, was arrested but did not face charges for what West Yorkshire Police called "a report of a serious sexual assault that occurred at a nightclub in Leeds."