Brazil's soccer federation president says rape convictions of former soccer players Dani Alves and Robinho end “one of the most heinous chapters” in the country's sporting history
SAO PAULO — Brazilian Football Confederation President Edonardo Rodríguez said Friday that the rape convictions of former soccer players Dani Alves and Robinho brought an end to “one of the most heinous chapters” in the country's sporting history. .
Rodriguez said in a statement that the leadership and coaching staff of the governing body CBF sympathize with “the victims of the brutal crimes committed by former football players.”
Robinho was jailed on Thursday after the High Court approved a nine-year prison sentence given in a trial in Italy to be carried out in Brazil. This week, Alves had the chance to post bail and leave prison while awaiting an appeal of his rape conviction.
“The yellow shirts that Brazilian players wear on the pitch are more than just jerseys, just as soccer is more than just a sport for Brazil. Those who wear them express the sentiments and values of the entire country they represent. We need to protect it,” Rodriguez said. “It's shameful that athletes are allowed to commit such perverted acts, as if all they have achieved through sport goes unpunished.”
Hours earlier, Brazil's new coach Dorival Junior said Robinho was a “great person” at a press conference in London ahead of Saturday's friendly against England at Wembley Stadium. Stated. Players on the country's women's national team expressed their disgust at Junior's comments on social media. Media all Friday.
“Unbelievable, it really is,” midfielder Ally Borges said on social media.
Earlier this week, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira, head of Brazil's delegation in London, said the footballers' silence over the Alves and Robinho incidents was “a slap in the face to all women”.
Rodriguez also said Brazil's bid for the 2027 Women's World Cup “represents the current government's biggest project to promote women's participation in football, fight gender discrimination and develop the sport.” The host country for 2027 will be decided in May.
Alves remains imprisoned in Brian II Prison, 45 minutes from Barcelona, where he has been for the past 14 months. He was found guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison. He denied his wrongdoing during a three-day trial in February.
Spain's state prosecutor's office in Barcelona asked the court on Friday to reconsider its decision to give Brazilian star Alves the chance of release.
His request for bail before trial was denied because the court deemed him a flight risk.
Since early Friday morning, Robinho has been held at the Tremembe prison in rural Sao Paulo state. He is expected to serve at least 40% of a nine-year sentence for raping a woman in Italy.
Brazil's penal states have indicated they may introduce a more flexible prison system if Robinho is granted good behavior behind bars. He is scheduled to become eligible in 2027, after completing almost half of his sentence. He continues to deny any wrongdoing.
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