Robinho to begin nine-year prison sentence following rape conviction

Ex-Manchester City striker, Robinho, is set to begin his nine-year prison sentence for rape.

The Brazilian and Ricardo Falco - a friend of the former footballer - were initially convicted in 2017, however their appeal process has only just come to a conclusion.

The Court of Cassation in Rome rejected an appeal by Robinho and he will now prepare to begin his sentence.

The 37-year-old denied claims that he took part in the gang rape of a 22-year-old Albanian woman at the Sio Cafe nightclub in Milan in January 2013.

However, any possibility of a further appeal has been dismissed after the court in Rome delivered their final decision.

If Robinho and Falco are to serve their sentences in the ex-footballers native country of Brazil, then Italy must now request the transfer of execution of the sentence to the Brazilian justice system and then wait for the Superior Court of Justice to ratify the sentence.

The former Brazil international - who played for AC Milan at the time of the incident - continued his football career for three years following his 2017 conviction.

The South American made 41 Premier League appearances for Manchester City before joining the Serie A club for £15 million in 2010.